In an instant his vision cleared and his brain became active and alert, like that of a man brought suddenly under the stimulus of strong liquor.

Care must be exercised--she must not learn too much--for if she suspected the truth she would go to her soldier lover at once, and no power on earth could hold her back.

That would block the vengeance that he saw shaping in the dank recesses of his distorted brain.
First, and above all, he must get the girl away from Flambeau.
"I went clear off my head," he heard himself saying, "at that name of Merridy, that ring, and all.

Why--why, I thought you might be the missing girl I told you of--you remember, that day up on Lee's Creek--so I had to see; but, dear me, I should have been more considerate--I should have explained.

The trouble is I'm a nervous man, and I get impulsive streaks on me sometimes that I can't control.