Stern also backed down from his earlier threat that he would cancel the season if there is no deal.

This might very well have something to do with that earlier threat Rand had made.

He also said that Ms. Nathan had been the subject of earlier threats.

South Korea's major trade union group backed down on an earlier threat to stage a strike it had planned for this month.

Based on earlier threats by the Qaeda leader, it said, an attack could come "not long afterward."

From her earlier threat, he suspected that she knew he was referring to the professor.

Things she told him suggested she wouldnt be following through on earlier threats.

Further, such an attack would permit me to reverse your earlier threat.

He said, "I suppose they learned of the earlier threat and took him in for questioning."

"Thank you," he said, as though it had been no more than he expected, in spite of her earlier threats.