about noon
mused Tom as he started off , after thanking the old fellow . `` Now I wonder if I 'd better try to get to it from the water or the land side ? '' He found it impossible to ride fast on the old wood road , and when he judged he was so close to the lake that the noise of his motor-cycle might be heard , he shut off the power , and walked along , pushing it . It was hard traveling , and he felt weary , but he kept on , and about noon was rewarded by a sight of something glittering through the trees . `` That 's the lake ! '' Tom exclaimed , half aloud . `` I 'm almost there . ''