“You won’t get a job within twenty miles of Vernock. If you do, you won’t hold it, for every man in the district will know you for what you are,––an ex-jailbird.”
“Who will tell them?”
“I will.”
“No, you won’t!”
“Won’t I? Try it out and I’ll show you quick enough.”
Phil went over to Brenchfield’s desk.
“I suppose you think your tracks are pretty well covered up after five years.”
“I have none to cover,” retorted Brenchfield. “I don’t know you personally; never did know you;––don’t want to know you. I do know you by reputation for an escaped jailbird and a would-be blackmailer, who will be back where he belongs before he is much older. Get that?”
“Yes,––I got it,” answered Phil, desperate, and almost beaten, when an imp in his mind set him busy.