noon
There was too much before them for the party to spend much time in speculation concerning the professor 's sudden disappearance . Immediately after breakfast Mr. Bell called the boys aside and said : `` How long will it take to get an aeroplane ready ? '' The question came briskly , as did all Mr. Bell 's speeches . `` I think I can promise to have a machine ready for flight by noon , '' was Roy 's rejoinder after a brief interval of thought . `` Good ! In that case we will waste no time in getting to work . I am anxious to reach the mine and stake it out properly for claim filing purposes .