noon
`` Any one been here , Jackpine ? '' The old sledge-driver gave his head a negative shake and hunched his shoulders , pointing at the same time to the table , on which lay a carefully folded piece of paper . `` Thorne , '' he grunted . Howland spread out the paper in the light of the lamp , and read : `` MY DEAR HOWLAND : `` I forgot to tell you that our mail sledge starts for Le Pas to-morrow at noon , and as I 'm planning on going down with it I want you to get over as early as you can in the morning . Can put you on to everything in the camp between eight and twelve . THORNE . '' A whistle of astonishment escaped Howland 's lips .