XII
LANIGAN CHANGES HIS CRAVAT
Early the next morning, without disturbing the sleep of Walter Lodloe, Lanigan Beam descended from the tower, carrying his valise. His face wore that air of gravity which sometimes follows an early morning hour of earnest reflection, and he had substituted a black cravat for the blue one with white spots that he had worn on his arrival.
Walking out towards the barn he met Mr. Petter, who was one of the earliest risers on the place.
The greeting given him by the landlord of the Squirrel Inn was a mixture of surprise, cordiality, and annoyance.
"Lanigan Beam!" he exclaimed. "Why, I thought—"
"Of course you did; I understand," said the other, extending his hand with a dignified superiority to momentary excitement in others. "You thought I would arrive at Lethbury in a day or two, and had no idea of seeing me here. You have reason, but I have changed my plans. I left New York earlier than I intended, and I am not going to Lethbury at all. At least not to the hotel there. I greatly prefer this house."
A shade of decided trouble came over Mr. Petter's face.