noon
Looking back along the way he had come , he could not see his companions and their string of mules , though the ground was open and the air quite clear . Evidently they had not yet left the gardens . With horrid malediction of their religion and parentage he rode on at a foot 's pace . At the third hour after noon he reached the spot where Iskender and the Frank had passed the night , and stood staring at the ashes of their fire with teeth and hands tightly clenched . A fellâh from the neighbouring village told him they had set out very early that morning with the avowed intention of making a long day 's march . These tidings sent Elias raging mad . They were fleeing towards the valley full of gold , of which Iskender , alone of all men , knew the whereabouts ; and he , Elias , their predestined chief , was left behind !