noon
It was possible for the man to have walked to Lakeville , six miles south , and reached the station there in abundant time to take the up-train which passed Sablon , without stopping , a little before daybreak . If he took that train , and if he was Jerrold , he would have been in the city before seven , and could have been at Fort Sibley before or by eight o'clock . But Chester 's despatch showed clearly that at 8.30 -- the hour for signing the company morning reports -- Mr. Jerrold was not at his post . Was he still in the neighborhood and waiting for the noon train ? If so , could he be confronted on the cars and accused of his crime ? He looked at his watch ; it was nearly eleven , and he must push on to the hotel before that hour , report to the colonel , then hasten back to the station . He sprang to his feet , and was just about to mount , when a vision of white and scarlet came suddenly into view .