noon
Mark Bower ? Is that your English way of putting it ? '' Helen attributed Stampa 's low hiss to a tardy recognition of Bower 's fame as a mountaineer . Though the hour was noon , the light was feeble . Veritable thunder clouds had gathered above the mist , and the expression of Stampa 's face was almost hidden in the obscurity of the hut . `` That is his name , '' she repeated . `` You must have heard of him .