"That is why I wanted to leave the service," he said, and she looked at him quickly.
"Because you thought that it would mean ruin?"
He smiled.
"No, not that. It would hurt you, that is all. Of course, if such a thing happened I would be obliged to resign."
"And you'd never forgive yourself."
"I wanted to anticipate such a happening, and, darling, you've got to face the future without any other illusions."
She winced at the word "other" but he went on, unnoticing:
"Boundary is a tiger. If he thinks there is reason to fear you, he will never let up on you till he has you in his grip. I tell you this," he said earnestly, "that for all the power of the police, for all their organisation and the backing which the law gives them, they may be helpless against this man if he has marked you down for punishment."
"I'm not afraid," she said quietly.
"But I am," said he. "I'm so afraid, that I'm sick with apprehension sometimes."