noon
Dave came back with the information that Mr. Stoddard was not at the house ; he had left for an early-morning ride , and not returned to his breakfast . `` He 'll just about have stopped up at the Country Club for a snack , '' MacPherson muttered to himself . `` I wonder who or what he found there attractive enough to keep him from his work . '' Looking into Gray 's office at noon , the closed desk with its pile of mail once more offended MacPherson 's eye . `` Mr. Stoddard here ? '' inquired Hartley Sessions , glancing in at the same moment . `` No , I think not , '' returned the Scotchman , unwilling to admit that he did not exactly know .