about noon
Jack grinned and lazily fanned the smoke of his cigarette away , so that he might the better gaze upon this man who was about to tell the whole truth and nothing else . He caught Swift 's eye and added a sneering lift to the smile ; and Swift 's eyes changed from bland innocence to hate triumphant . `` Mr. Swift , you will now relate to us the circumstances of this affair , truthfully , in the order of their happening , '' directed the deep voice of the Captain . Mr. Swift carefully eased his wounded arm in its sling , turned his innocent gaze upon the crowd , and began : `` Texas , Rawhide , and myself were crossing the sandy stretch south of town about noon , when we met this chap -- the stranger there . '' He nodded slightly toward the boy . `` I was walking behind the other two , but I heard Rawhide say : ` Hello , son , any luck in the diggin 's ? ' The kid said : ` None of your damn business ! '