twelve o'clock
`` Why , Dick ! '' says he , his lips twitching strangely , `` why -- Dick ! '' and with the word he turned suddenly and left me . The duel had been settled for twelve o'clock , and it was exactly half after eleven by my chronometer when a servant came to warn us that the coach was at the door . So we presently descended and got in with never a word betwixt us . When men know each other so thoroughly , there is no need for the mask of gaiety to be held up as is usual at such times ; thus we rode very silent and thoughtful for the most part , until we heard Purdy , the surgeon , hailing us from where he stood waiting at the cross roads as had been arranged . `` Well , sirs , '' says he , nodding and frowning at us in his sharp way as he took his seat , `` and how is the foot ? ''