about noon
`` That is well . I told you before that we are to try the ` Wise Man , ' -- but first we must have Nattée in play . To-morrow we will start for -- , '' mentioning a small quiet town about four miles off . We did so , early the next morning , and arrived about noon , pitching our tents on the common , not far from the town ; but in this instance we left all the rest of our gang behind . Melchior 's own party and his two tents were all that were brought by the donkeys . Melchior and I , dressed as countrymen , went into the town at dusk , and entered a respectable sort of inn , taking our seats at one of the tables in the tap-room , and , as we had already planned , after we had called for beer , commenced a conversation in the hearing of the others who were sitting drinking and smoking . `` Well , I never will believe it -- it 's all cheat and trickery , '' said Melchior , `` and they only do it to pick your pocket .