NOON
By silent consent we paid the hack off , and proceeded arm-in-arm towards the `` Poodle Dog '' for dinner . At one of the first hoardings I was aware of a bill-sticker at work : it was a late hour for this employment , and I checked Pinkerton until the sheet should be unfolded . This is what I read : -- + -------------------------------------------------- + | TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD . | | | | OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE | | | | WRECKED BRIG `` FLYING SCUD '' | | | | APPLYING , | | PERSONALLY OR BY LETTER | | AT THE OFFICE OF JAMES PINKERTON , MONTANA BLOCK , | | | | BEFORE NOON TO-MORROW , TUESDAY , 12TH , | | | | WILL RECEIVE | | | | TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD . | + -------------------------------------------------- + `` This is your idea , Pinkerton ! '' I cried . `` Yes .