noon
He tried to convince his soul that he had a business reason for staying . He lied to himself and said he would make another desperate sortie on the castle of the Comas company . But he did not go there the next day . Near noon he set himself to watch the entrance of the cafeteria . When he saw a table vacant near the door he went in , secured food , and posted himself where he could view all comers . The girl did not come . At two o'clock , after eating three meals , he did not dare to brave the evident suspicions of that baleful cashier any longer .