noon
But an explosion which merely would create a diversion to assist in an escape was not a device that would effectively solve his difficulties , Vaniman reflected . Wagg 's general stolidity made him seem rather stupid ; the young man felt that his own wits ought to be enlisted in the affair . In the stress of circumstances he hankered to co-operate instead of being a sort of Ludlam 's dog , dumb and driven . However , toward noon , Mr. Wagg was displaying a certain amount of tension of his own and his demeanor did not invite complaints or recrimination . The convict decided that there was nothing for it except to let Mr. Wagg do the wagging . When the noon bell clanged from the tower , the pit-job prisoners filtered into groups from their occupation in the yard and others filed from the doors of the shops . They shuffled their way in double lines through the gaping door of the main building , received their tins of food , and went to their cells .