"Am I so altered?"
"Altered! There's not an inch of you the same."
This was absurd, and Nigel smiled.
"What are you after here—eh?"
"Going home. Just arrived. They don't expect me till to-morrow, so it's to be a surprise."
"Why on earth didn't you take the steps? Missed them in the dark? That's not like you. Some folks do go mooning about with their eyes in the stars; but I thought you were practical."
"I didn't miss the steps. I came this way by choice."
"Hey? What for?"
"A fancy of mine. I must be off, or my luggage will arrive first."
"Not if you keep up the pace you were going just now." Mr. Carden-Cox paused to survey Nigel all over, from head to foot, as if gauging his value. "Yes—you've filled out—expanded—developed—twice the man you were! But there's something about you which I don't quite understand. Good-bye. We shall meet again soon."