He had looked like fainting--but when he recovered himself his whole attitude (so, at any rate, it had seemed to Brereton) had been that of a man who has just undergone a great relief.

To put the whole thing into a narrow compass, it seemed as if Cotherstone appeared to be positively pleased to hear--and to find beyond doubt--that Kitely was dead.

And now, as he stood glancing from one young man to the other, his eyes glittered as if he were absolutely enjoying the affair: he reminded Brereton of that type of theatre-goer who will insist on pointing out stage effects as they occur before his eyes, forcing his own appreciation of them upon fellow-watchers whose eyes are as keen as his own.
"A strong clue!" repeated Cotherstone, and said it yet again.

"A good 'un! And if it's right, it'll clear matters up." "What is it ?" asked Bent.

He, too, seemed to be conscious that there was something odd about his prospective father-in-law, and he was gazing speculatively at him as if in wonder.