"So he was," growled Jack, "an' he'd got a stiffer dose than that if he hadn't been the coward an' traitor he was. You know he turned State's evidence an' testified agin his pals, an' so managed t' git hisself off with three year, while all th' others got ten. I'd hate t' be in Nolan's shoes when they _do_ git out. They'll certainly never rest till they git even with him." "But how did he get out?" asked Allan, again. "He hasn't been in the penitentiary more than six months." "Only five months," corrected Jack, grimly. "Purty justice I call that! It's enough t' disgust an honest man! What's th' use o' being honest, anyway, if that's all they do to a dirty scoundrel like Dan Nolan? No wonder they's lynchin' parties every now an' then!" "Jack," laughed Allan, "you don't believe a word you're saying, and you know it!" "Well, anyway," said Jack, "it makes me fair sick at heart t' think of it! Here's this cowardly blackguard loose agin, an' y' know he's got it in fer ye!" "Oh, I can take care of myself," said Allan, easily. "In a fair fight ye could," agreed Jack. "But ye know as well as I do that he won't fight fair. He'll be tryin' some of his cowardly tricks on ye, jest like he did afore. I won't be able t' sleep fer worritin' about it!" "Oh, nonsense, Jack! You don't need to worry, at all. I'll keep my eyes open. But you haven't told me yet how he got out. Was he pardoned?" "Oh, wuss'n that!" answered Jack, disgustedly. "They went an' put him on th' pay-roll!" "On the pay-roll!" repeated Allan. "Oh, you mean he's been parolled?" "Yes; what's that mean?" "It means that he's released during good behaviour. As soon as he does anything wrong he'll be whisked back into the penitentiary, and won't get out again till his term's out." "Much good that'll do," commented Jack, "arter th' mischief's done! That's like lockin' th' stable door arter th' hoss is stole!" "He's probably promised to be good." "He'd promise anything," said Jack; "why, he'd sell his soul t' th' devil, t' git another chance at ye. Ye must look out fer yourself, me boy." "I will," promised Allan, with a laugh, as he swung himself aboard the train. "Don't worry." But when the train had started and he was alone with his thoughts, without the fear of Jack's sharp eyes seeing what was passing in his mind, the smile faded from his lips. After all, seek to evade it as he might, there _was_ some danger. Nolan was vindictive--he would seek revenge first of all, unless his nature had been completely changed, which was scarcely to be expected. If he would fight fairly, there was very little to apprehend from him; but Allan knew perfectly well that he would not do this. He would work in the dark, undoubtedly; he would watch for a chance to injure his enemy without running any risk himself.