Quade was a villain.

Culver Rann, quiet and cool and suave, was a devil.

Behind his depravity worked the brain which Quade lacked, and a nerve which, in spite of that almost effeminate immaculateness, had been described to Aldous as colossal.
Suddenly Quade turned, and Aldous saw that he was flushed and excited.

He struck the desk a blow with his fist.

Culver Rann leaned back and smiled.
And John Aldous slipped away from the window.
His nerves were quivering; in the darkness he unbuttoned the pocket that held his automatic.