noon
I was told that he had gone to his club for breakfast , but would be back very shortly . I waited a half-hour and then tried the club . He had left . Remembering that I had said I should be at home from eleven to twelve , I looked at my watch and saw , to my annoyance , that it was close to noon . I had hoped to anticipate the call of the count 's seconds on Merton . I felt sure , however , that the captain would simply deny any share in my adventure , and that a word or a note from me to the count would set things straight . Although I regretted the delay my vain pursuit of the count had caused , a little reflection put me at ease , and calling a cab , I drove to Captain Merton 's .