noon
The first afternoon papers would contain all the details , and perhaps the ticker would have the news before . He realized that all the haggard night he had been fearing that the morning would bring him knowledge of Mrs. Marteen 's death -- drowned , asphyxiated , poisoned -- the many shapes of the one terrible deed had presented themselves to his subconscious mind , to be thrust away by his stubborn will . Dorothy , summoned to the telephone , had nothing to add to Brencherly 's information , but seemed to derive comfort and consolation from Gard 's assurances that all would be well . She would call him again at noon , she said . He came from the booth almost glad . His step was light , his troubled eyes clear once more . He was ready to play his part in every sense , grateful for the respite from his pain .