noon precisely
`` Perhaps , '' answered the Count , smiling . `` It is part of my creed never to despise science in whatever form it may come ! '' The director bowed with satirical politeness . At noon precisely Dr. Absalom arrived . He had discarded his gaudy and fantastic attire of the previous day and appeared in the ordinary street dress of a European . If he had seemed imposing to Maximilian at his house in the Ghetto , he looked still more imposing to him now , shorn as he was of all oriental accessories and depending for effect upon the wondrous intellectual aspect of his countenance alone . The only article of luxury he had about him was a massive gold-headed cane on which his years caused him to lean heavily .