Brereton, since his first meeting with Mallalieu, had often said to himself that the Mayor of Highmarket had the slyest eyes of any man he had even seen--but he was forced to admit now that, however sly Mallalieu's eyes were, they could, on occasion, be extraordinarily steady.
The truth was that Mallalieu was playing a part.

He had outlined it, unconsciously, when he said to the superintendent that it would be time enough for him to do something when he knew what could be brought against him.

And now all his attention was given to the two or three witnesses whom the prosecution thought it necessary to call.

He wanted to know who they were.

He curbed his impatience while the formal evidence of arrest was given, but his ears pricked a little when he heard one of the police witnesses speak of the warrant having been issued on information received.