half past eight o'clock in the morning
He did not comprehend that an alert subconscious mind might be giving the alarm , touching him upon the shoulder and guiding his hand to the bleeding wound ; but , once he knew there was a bleeding wound , he acted with promptness and a fair degree of skill . When the sky was growing light four weary men and a dejected dog passed down the bank of the disappearing stream , three hundred feet below this spur , trudging homeward . But Tusk , though weakened and breathing rapidly , was again asleep . At half past eight o'clock in the morning Aunt Timmie was tidying up the room , Doctor Stone was removing his white jacket , and , on an adjoining cot to Mesmie , Nancy lay dozing from the effect of an anæsthetic . Her face held a frown , as though even in slumber the memory of the ordeal was following her . `` I 'll go now , '' he whispered , `` and be back at twelve . You know what to do . ''