noon
`` Well , me and my side partner , '' commented the taller guard , with a wink at his companion , `` would n't mind if a prisoner managed to break away every day in the week if we could be sure of getting such a fine treat as this , eh , Pete ? '' Pete declared that he could truthfully echo that assertion , though his mouth being so full at the time he could hardly more than mumble his sentiments . The two men did full justice to the meal , and then announced that , much to their everlasting regret , they felt compelled to bid the friendly scouts good-bye , though they would like nothing better than staying over the night with them . It was hardly full noon when they took their departure , waving a farewell from the edge of the thick brush before plunging into the same . They had another clue that was worth following up , for those who were fortunate enough to recapture the escaped prisoner would be in line to receive some satisfying sort of reward , either in the shape of money , or a betterment in their condition of employment at the asylum . `` Well , they 're gone ! '' remarked Alec , as he busied himself with his development tank , anxious to find out how his films were going to turnout .