Neither Betty nor Taggart had expected him to return to the Lazy Y.

Betty's actions on the night of his arrival proved that.

She had exhibited emotion entirely out of reason.

Undoubtedly she and Taggart had expected to wait the year specified in the will, certain that he would not appear to claim the money or the idol, or they might have planned to leave before he could return.

But since he had surprised them by returning unexpectedly, it followed that they must reconstruct their plans; they would have to make it impossible for him to comply with his father's wishes.