# Mr. Cotherstone — The Borough Treasurer character guide > Mr. Cotherstone in The Borough Treasurer by J. S. Fletcher. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Cotherstone, Milford Cotherstone **First appearance:** 0000-i-blackmail ## Snapshot A prominent Highmarket townsman discharged amid jeers of 'King's evidence,' whose defiance in the courtroom masks a private terror of revelation. ## Who they are Cotherstone is one half of a long partnership with Mallalieu, a builder proud of his stone house and his standing, yet haunted by something Kitely knew. When the crowd brands him a liar and a self-saver, he answers with champagne and bravado, but at home he dreads even a supper guest. His dread of exposure—chiefly for Lettie's sake—drives the novel's central pressure. ## In the story ### [I: Blackmail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/i-blackmail) The junior partner in the building firm, nervous and anxious, who is being blackmailed by Kitely over a past crime. ### [II: Crime—and Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/ii-crime-and-success) Struggles with the shock of Kitely's blackmail, reflecting on his past crime and his current respected position as Borough Treasurer. ### [III: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/iii-murder) Anxious and distracted after Kitely's blackmail, he forces himself to entertain guests but is shaken by the news of Kitely's murder. ### [IV: The Pine Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/iv-the-pine-wood) Shows extreme agitation upon hearing of Kitely's murder; later whispers to Bent about a clue. ### [The Cord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/v-the-cord) Appears elated and eager about Kitely's death; points out the clue of the cord. ### [VII: Night Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vii-night-work) Mallalieu is certain Cotherstone killed Kitely; Cotherstone appears worn and nervous when they meet at the yard. ### [X: The Hole in the Thatch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/x-the-hole-in-the-thatch) Brereton suspects him due to his direct knowledge of the murder scene and his behavior on the night of the murder. ### [XII: Parental Anxiety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xii-parental-anxiety) Confronts Mallalieu in a rage, suspecting him of thinking he murdered Kitely; later pressures Lettie to marry early, citing heart trouble and a desire to retire. ### [XIV: The Sheet of Figures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xiv-the-sheet-of-figures) Cotherstone's scribbling of 'Wilchester' and his calculations on the sheet arouse Stoner's suspicion. ### [XV: One Thing Leads to Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xv-one-thing-leads-to-another) Implied to be the former Chidforth of the Mallows & Chidforth case, suspected of involvement in Kitely's murder. ### [XVI: The Lonely Moor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvi-the-lonely-moor) Implied as a co-conspirator in Kitely's murder and the past fraud; mentioned by Stoner. ### [XVII: The Medical Opinion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvii-the-medical-opinion) Present at the examination, exchanges a significant look with Mallalieu, and questions the police about signs of struggle or robbery. ### [The Scrap Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xviii-the-scrap-book) Identified as one of the former criminals (Chidforth) from the 1881 building society fraud; Brereton believes he may be involved in the murders. ### [At Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xx-at-bay) Reveals his past as Mallalieu's catspaw in the Wilchester fraud, admits to paying back the money after Kitely's murder, and accuses Mallalieu of killing Kitely and Stoner. ### [The Interrupted Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxi-the-interrupted-flight) Mallalieu sees him at the office but avoids speaking about Stoner's death. ### [XXII: The Hand in the Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxii-the-hand-in-the-darkness) Arrested alongside Mallalieu; placed in the dock first, avoids eye contact with Mallalieu, appears restless and eager during proceedings. ### [No Further Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxv-no-further-evidence) Imprisoned in Norcaster Gaol, he resolves to fight the charges and testifies against Mallalieu at the inquest. ### [The Virtues of Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxvi-the-virtues-of-suspicion) Cotherstone is mentioned as having given evidence against Mallalieu at the inquest and being discharged by the magistrates to testify further. ### [Without Thought of Consequence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxix-without-thought-of-consequence) Seen by Mallalieu among the men outside the cottage, demanding admittance. ### [XXX: Cotherstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxx-cotherstone) Discharged from court, he faces public hostility but resolves to confess his knowledge of Kitely's murder to the superintendent. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/characters/mr_cotherstone - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/characters