12 o'clock noon
After some further explanations , Harris agreed to sign a contract or option of purchase , drawn as specified , if after investigation , he should become satisfied with the responsibility of the London parties . On Tuesday morning , contracts in duplicates were presented for Colonel Harris 's inspection . After twice carefully reading the contract , he gave his approval and wrote Mr. Searles a letter of introduction to Mr. B.C. Wilson , his manager at Harrisville , requesting the latter to permit Mr. Searles and his experts to examine all property and accounts of the Harrisville Iron & Steel Co. for ten years back . It was also arranged that on Wednesday , at 12 o'clock noon , Mr. Searles should see the Harrises off to Europe , then Mr. Searles and his experts were to go to Harrisville in Colonel Harris 's private car . Later Mr. Searles and Colonel Harris were to meet in London , and then , if everything was mutually satisfactory , all parties were to affix their signatures to the agreement , and the cash payment was to be made at the London office of Guerney & Barring . Wednesday , Colonel Harris rose early as had been his habit from childhood . He was exacting in his family , and also as a manager of labor .