noon
`` That does n't necessarily follow , '' said Lee , calmly . Gretzinger ignored this reply . He thrust an arm into his fur-lined overcoat and began to draw it on . That evening he was leaving Kennard for New York , and now was desirous of returning to town by noon , where he had a luncheon engagement with Ruth Gardner . He had casually mentioned to Bryant that the girls had gone the day before to the McDonnells for the holidays . `` My people were certainly handed a phony deal here , '' he remarked shortly , as he buttoned the coat collar about his throat . `` Questionable title to the water !