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This means that he perceived a threat disguised as politeness.

It's an idiom: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/an-iron-...

The polite, friendly, retired gentleman could neither confirm or deny that life would get rather difficult if publication proceeded. (ie he wanted to make himself clear without stating directly)

I seldom get that kind of hint. I bet I would have published the damn paper, not because I'd felt it would be my duty as a scientist or citizen, but out of sheer obliviousness to possible consequences.