noon
They kept him out in the unwholesome mists at night , and ordered him back into his harness in the day . But he was not persuaded . No ! Taken out of harness one day at noon , to feed -- if he could find food -- he sobbed twelve times , once for every stroke of the bell , and died on her bosom . ' `` Nothing human could have held life in the boy but his determination to tell all his wrong . He forced back the gathering shadows of death , as he forced his clenched right hand to remain clenched , and to cover his wound . `` ` Then , with that man 's permission and even with his aid , his brother took her away ; in spite of what I know she must have told his brother -- and what that is , will not be long unknown to you , Doctor , if it is now -- his brother took her away -- for his pleasure and diversion , for a little while .