noon
_ '' With a quavering sigh , the girl reclosed her eyes and instantly relapsed into the sleep of trance which was insensibly in the course of the night to merge into natural slumber . Victor ironed out his grimace , and signed to Shaik Tsin . `` Bear her back to her room . Instruct Chou Nu to put her to bed and not to wake her up before noon . '' `` Hearing is obedience . '' The Chinaman bent over , gathered the inert body into his arms , and without perceptible effort stood erect . But in the act of turning away he paused and , continuing to hold the girl as easily as if she weighed no more than a child , interrogated the man he served .