He could have trusted her with that part of it--his tentative piracy.

That to divulge Hawksley's identity would be a menace to her peace of mind now appeared ridiculous; and yet he had worked forward from this assumption.
No answer to the query.

Generally he thought clearly enough; but somewhere along this route he had made a muddle of things and couldn't find the spot.

The only point clearly defined was that he should wish to keep her out of the affair because there were elements of positive danger.

But somewhere inside of him was a question asking for recognition, and it eluded him.