noon
If so , I shall count that as of infinitely greater importance than the location of the North Pole . '' The wind veered to the northwest toward evening , and a consultation of the map showed that they were heading precisely as they wished to . On the following morning , they crossed what the Professor informed them was the Lake of the Woods . `` Before noon we shall be well into Northern Minnesota . We are peculiarly favored upon this trip . It is very doubtful whether we would encounter so many favorable gales in any number of future trips . '' `` We are not home yet , Professor , and we may have an opportunity to test the Doctor 's theory as to air currents , '' said Will .