midday
With eager fingers I tore away the bricks from the crumbling mortar , and drew out my prize . The buckle glittered in the light that stole through the gaping door . All was safe , and as I left it . Clutching my treasure , I ran back to the house and found Mrs. Busvargus spreading the midday meal . Until that was over , I knew that Uncle Loveday would not attack the mystery . He was sitting outside in the front garden smoking solemnly , and the wreaths of his pipe , curling in through the open door , filled the house with fragrance . I crept upstairs to my mother 's door , and reverently entered the dim-lit room .