Tarboe understood that this young man had a frankness dangerous to the business of life, yet which, properly applied, might bring great results.

He disliked Carnac for his uncalculating candour; but he realized that, behind all, was something disturbing to his life.
"It's a woman," Tarboe said to himself, "it's a woman.

He's made a fool of himself." Tarboe was right.

He had done what no one else had done--he had pierced the cloud surrounding Carnac: it was a woman.
"I hear you're pulling things off here," remarked Carnac civilly.

"He says"-- pointing to John Grier--"that you're making the enemy squirm." Tarboe nodded, and a half-stealthy smile crept across his face.