about noon
When the boys and their guide went back to the hotel in Fillmore , the return trip having been made in better time than the outgoing , there was a letter from Mr. Kent to Nat . The boy 's uncle said he was so busy he had no time to come for them , but , he added , he would send one of his men with three horses which the boys could ride out to the ranch . Their trunks and baggage had been called for by one of the Double B ranchmen while they were on their way to Mr. Tevis 's , so the boys had nothing to worry about but themselves . They had arrived at the hotel about noon , and having eaten dinner , sat down to await the arrival of the man who was to escort them . He had been in town for two days , the hotel clerk said , but , at that moment , had gone to see some friends . `` I 'll send him up to your room when he comes in , '' said the clerk , and the boys went upstairs to pack a few little articles that had not gone on with their trunks and valises . It was while they were in the midst of that that a knock sounded on their door .