midday
`` Of course , '' he went on , straightening up again on the mat , `` this was all commonplace enough -- this seeing lights and figures at night . Most of these fellows drink , and imagination and terror between them may account for almost anything . But others saw things in broad daylight . One of the woodmen , a sober , respectable man , took the shortcut home to his midday meal , and swore he was followed the whole length of the wood by something that never showed itself , but dodged from tree to tree , always keeping out of sight , yet solid enough to make the branches sway and the twigs snap on the ground . And it made a noise , he declared -- but really '' -- the speaker stopped and gave a short laugh -- `` it 's too absurd -- '' '' _ Please ! _ '' insisted the doctor ; `` for it is these small details that give me the best clues always . '' '' -- it made a crackling noise , he said , like a bonfire .