It was bewildered and annoyed.
William Roper had not, as he had assured Mr.Flexen, told what he had seen on the night of the murder of Lord Loudwater, but he had been dropping hints.

He dropped more.

He was a supporter of the theory that James Hutchings was the murderer because he desired to oust the father of James Hutchings from his post as head-gamekeeper.

That was the reason also of his belief in James Hutchings' guilt.

He was beginning to enjoy the interest he awakened as the storehouse of undivulged knowledge.