noon
If she was ill she said so at once ; she never left them in doubt until the last moment . Indecision was not one of her characteristics . She was as reliable as the sun . If the directors did not hear definitely from her by noon to-day , they would have to find another Marguerite . The police began to move , and they stirred up some curious bits of information . A man had tried to bribe the singer 's chauffeur , while she was singing at the Austrian ambassador 's . The chauffeur was able to describe the stranger with some accuracy .