noon
Or , if I had the relentlessness or the supreme egotism , or whatever it is , that enables great men to trample without a qualm , to destroy without pity , to enjoy without remorse . '' My nerves began to feel as if some one were gently sliding his fingers along their bared length -- not a pain , but as fear-inspiring as the sound of the stealthy creep of the assassin moving up behind to strike a sudden and mortal blow . I dismissed business and politics and went cruising on the lakes with restful , non-political Fred Sandys . After we had been knocking about perhaps a week , we landed one noon at the private pier of the Liscombes to lunch with them . As Sandys and I strolled toward the front of the house , several people , also guests for lunch , were just descending from a long buckboard . At sight of one of them I stopped short inside , though I mechanically continued to walk toward her . I recognized her instantly -- the curve of her shoulders , the poise of her head , and her waving jet-black hair to confirm .