noon
I called at his rooms to see him about something important that I thought he ought to know . I missed him , and so left a note for him which he got on his return and read . I found it open on his table later on . At noon he went out again , and that 's all . Frankly , I 'm worried about him . '' Miss Benham watched the man with thoughtful eyes , and when he had finished she asked : `` Could you tell me what was in this note that you left for Ste. Marie ? '' Hartley was by nature a very open and frank young man , and in consequence an unusually bad liar .