Twelve o'clock
`` I 'll do it , and return the following day . '' The two men smoked with their eyes upon the minute hand that slowly crept toward twelve . Now and then Cameron 's glance strayed through the window toward the trading post , as though he half expected to see John McNabb step to its door . `` Twelve o'clock ! '' announced Orcutt , in a voice that held a ring of triumph . `` And I do n't mind telling you that , sure as I was that McNabb would not be here , I am breathing easier now than I was two minutes ago . '' Leaning forward , Cameron verified the announcement , and dipping the pen in ink , he signed the contract and passed the instrument across to Orcutt , who hastily affixed his signature .