noon
He had a quick eye , a long pointed nose , a round and open forehead , which was contradicted by thin and compressed lips . This man murmured to himself some phrases which he interrupted by oaths and exclamations , which seemed less the result of words than thoughts . `` Come , come , '' said he , `` M. de Montaran did not deceive me , and our Bretons are hard at the work ; but for what earthly reason can he have come by such short stages ? He left at noon on the 11th , and only arrived on the evening of the 21st . This probably hides some new mystery , which will be explained by the fellow recommended by Montaran , and with whom my people were in communication on the journey . Hola ! '' And he rang a silver bell .