He had often read about it, and once he had incorporated it in a story, that invisible force which sent men to prison and to the gallows, when a tongue controlled would have meant liberty indefinite.

As for himself, there had never been a touch of it.

It was less will than education.

Even in his fevered hours, so the girl had said, his tongue had not betrayed him.

Perhaps that sealed letter was a form of confession, and thus relieved him on that score.