Every feature of his face had altered: his good looks were gone, the youth in his eyes had disappeared, only a little evil lustre played over them; and out of the drawn pallor Duane saw an old man peering, an old man's lips twitching back from uneven and yellowed teeth.
"Mallett," he said, "you listen to me.

Keep your investigating muzzle out of my affairs; forget what you've ferreted out; steer clear of me and mine.

I want no scandal, but if you raise a breath of it you'll have enough concerning yourself to occupy you.

Do you understand ?" "No," said Duane mechanically, staring at the man before him.
"Well, then, to be more precise, if you lift one finger to injure me you'll cut a figure in court....

And you can marry her later." "Who ?" "My wife.