noon
In a confident tone he desired that the box should be placed on the table , and requested one of the council , who understood such matters , to give his opinion . Paula knew the man well . He was one of the most respected members of the household , the chief mechanician whose duty it was to test and repair the water-clocks , balances , measures and other instruments . He at once proceeded to examine the lock and found it in perfect order , though the key , which was of peculiar form , could certainly not have found a substitute in any false key ; and Paula was forced to admit that she had left the trunk locked at noon and had worn the key round her neck ever since . Orion listened to his opinion with a shrug , and before going to seek Katharina gave orders that Paula and the nurse should be conducted to separate rooms . To arrive at any clear decision in this matter , it was necessary that any communication between these two should be rendered impossible . As soon as the door was shut on them he hastened into the garden , where he hoped to find Katharina .