Brown had seized Cook by both arms and searched his eyes for the truth.
The younger man was amazed at the volcanic outburst of anger.
"A hundred times I've told you, Cook, that you talk too much," he went on tensely. "You mean well, boy, but your marriage may prove a tragedy in more ways than one."
"It has proven my greatest weapon."
"If you're careful, if you're discreet, if you can control your foolish impulses. I've warned you again and again and yet you've been writing letters—"
Cook's eyes wavered.
"I only wrote one to an old girl friend in Tabor."
"Exactly. You told of your marriage, your happiness, your hopes of a great career—and I got a copy of the letter."
"How?"
"No matter. If I got it, somebody else could get one. Now will you swear to me again to obey my orders?"
The burning eyes pierced his soul and he was wax.