noon
But though I have removed them from his grasp for the present , I can feel no security if I bring them back to this country . I must obtain a legal ownership of them ; but how shall I manage it ? '' Revolving many plans in his mind , he at last fell asleep . His first waking thought was to attend a meeting of the creditors at noon , and hear what they had to say . He found ten or twelve persons present , some of gentlemanly appearance , others hard-looking characters . Among them , and in singular contrast with their world-stamped faces , was the ingenuous countenance of Florimond Blumenthal . Three hundred dollars of his salary were due to him , and he hoped to secure some portion of the debt for the benefit of the orphans .