noon
Then there was a hoarse `` Ah , aaah ! '' of terror , and the crowd edged away , surged backward . The next minute it had begun to melt away , its entity dissolving into separate creatures , slipping into the side alleys and the dark streets that disgorged into the square . Within three minutes the square lay empty again in the pale-crimson noon . The kid in black leather let his breath go and swore , slipping his shocker into its holster . He stared and demanded profanely , `` Where 'd the little fellow go ? '' `` Who knows ? ''