noon
The one-sided battle had been fought to a finish . Hanchett , hewing away in the dark , had made every double and turn that keen legal acumen and a sharp wit could suggest to gain time . But Mr. Farley was inexorable . The business must be concluded at the present sitting ; otherwise the papers in the two suits , which were already prepared , would be filed before noon . Hanchett took his principal into the laboratory for a private word . `` It 's for you to decide , Mr. Gordon , '' he said . `` If you want to follow them into the court , we 'll do the best we can .