He yearned to tell Standish in fiery words how unspeakable had been the action, and then foot to foot, fist to fist, to take out of the giant's hide some tithe of the revenge due for such black ingratitude.
The ferocious impulse set steady his quivering nerves.

No longer did his brain race uselessly.

Again it was alert, resourceful, keen.
Standish! Yes, and no doubt Standish's sister too! The girl whose eyes had made him feel as if he were on holy ground--the girl whom he had been so irritatingly unable to get out of his mind! With an angry shake of the head Gavin dismissed Claire from his thoughts.

And his newborn hate concentrated on her brother who had betrayed to death his rescuer.

Obsessed with the fierce craving to stand face to face with the blonde-bearded giant he banished his lethargy of hopelessness and cast about for means of escape out of this seemingly inescapable snare.
First, the key must be found.