His manner hinted of secret knowledge--strongly; it gave Lawler an impression of something stealthy, clandestine.

Warden's business methods were not like Lefingwell's.

Lefingwell had been bluff, frank, and sincere; there was something in Warden's manner that seemed to exude craft and guile.

The contrast between the two men was sharp, acute, startling; and Lawler descended the stairs feeling that he had just been in contact with something that crept instead of walking upright like a man.
A recollection of the woman he had met at the foot of the stairs came to Lawler as he descended, and thought of her did much to erase the impression he had gained of Warden.

He grinned, thinking of how he had caught her watching him as he had mounted the stairs.