noon
`` I 'll help you , Bessie . I wo n't be silly again . '' For some time , then , Holmes drove the car in what Bessie soon saw to be an aimless fashion . The morning was nearly done , and Bessie , used to guessing at the time from the sun , knew that it was very near noon . Holmes seemed to be doubling on his tracks , and to be driving in what resembled a circle , as if he were chasing his own tail , and at last Bessie determined to speak to him and try to make him show his hand . The suspense of waiting for something to happen was making her nervous . She felt that even the realization of her fears would be welcome , since then , at least , she could do something .