In the midst of all this, Cooper, who was usually so casual and carefree, stood rigid with terror. He was learning the bitter lesson that is taught on The Rock ... that ambition besets us with many dangers to be fought and survived, and one of the greatest dangers is success. It's dangerous because it focuses attention, and the successful man becomes a new target for the attacking pirates. As a nobody on The Rock, Cooper had been living in happy obscurity, ignored by the poison eaters. Now he was spotlighted and they declared open season on him. The Ned Bacons cut him down to their size. The Mig Masons resented his claim on their exclusively owned limelight. The pretty girls took hold to climb over him to fresh heights. The pretty boys saw in him another celebrated name to drop and to bitch. The property owners marked him for future possession. And all this took place under the surface of the congratulations and compliments, like a poison ring inside a Borgia hand-clasp. The first opportunity he had after the formal congratulations, Lennox whispered: "Sam, I'd never bring it up at this time, but I've got to work fast. I've found out the letters were written to me." "Letters?" Cooper was bewildered. "The threats. You recognized the writing. Have you remembered who it is yet?" Cooper passed his hands over his face. "No, Jake. No. I.... No." "Listen. I know who's writing them. Knott. The Quaker, the blonde and the knot. Remember? Knott's the name of the writer. Does that ring a bell?" Cooper shook his head. He didn't appear to be understanding Lennox. "Between the name and the writing we ought to be able to find him, Sam. Not now, of course, but maybe...." "Jake. Leave me alone, will you. I can't help you. I'm in a bad way." "Sure. I'm sorry. Enjoy yourself, boy. I'm cheering in your corner." Cooper laughed pointlessly and a trifle hysterically. He was so completely unstrung that his first conversation with Gabby hardly made any sense at all. She had waited for a break in the ring around him and then came up to him with outstretched hand. Cooper at once took her to a corner and stared at her distractedly. "Do you trust me?" he asked suddenly. "Of course," Gabby answered. "I like to trust people." He looked into her dark eyes. "Yes. You're one of the honest ones, aren't you. Inside-outside girls." "I think you've been drinking too much, Sam." "I like the way you say Sam. No, I'm not drunk. I'm possessed. I meant your inside and outside match. Both beautiful." "Oh. Yes, my plumbing is the envy of all the doctors." "Are you in love with Jake?" "I don't know. It's too violent yet." "He's violent." Cooper nodded emphatically. "Dangerous. Do you think it'll be love after the frenzy?" "I want it to be. Very much." "Can I call you Gabby?" "Please." "Listen to me, Gabby. Go away. Get out of Jake's life. Run like hell." She looked at him steadily without answering.