Tonight the florid gentleman's stroll did not seem to match his face, which betrayed a suppressed excitement in spite of the fat cigar.

He reached out, caught Cliff's arm, and turned back toward the house, forgetting all about his stroll as soon as he began to speak.

He forgot something else, for Johnny distinctly heard a sentence or two not meant for his ears.
"I've put it through all right.

I got them to sign with the understanding that they don't turn a hand till you bring the money.
You can take--" That was all, for even on that still night the florid gentleman's voice receded quickly to an unintelligible mumbling.

They went inside, and the door closed.