THE CORD Ever since they had left the house at the foot of the pine wood, Brereton had been conscious of a curious psychological atmosphere, centring in Cotherstone.

It had grown stronger as events had developed; it was still stronger now as they stood outside the dead man's cottage, the light from the open door and the white-curtained window falling on Cotherstone's excited face.

Cotherstone, it seemed to Brereton, was unduly eager about something--he might almost be said to be elated.

All of his behaviour was odd.

He had certainly been shocked when Garthwaite burst in with the news--but this shock did not seem to be of the ordinary sort.