about midday
I wanted to get him to think that I was dangerous enough to be worth putting out of the way . I presume he was aware there were , or would be , weak joints in his armor , impenetrable as it seemed ; and he preferred not risking the ordeal of legal battle if he could help it . At all events , he elected at last to rid himself of a person who might be dangerous , and was troublesome , by the shortest and the simplest means . `` I say so because when , believing my man was ripe for this , I left Paris about midday for a certain secluded little spot on the sea-coast , I saw one of Monsieur Steinmetz 's employees on the platform ; and because , two days after my arrival in my secluded spot , I met Monsieur Steinmetz in person , newly arrived also . Now this was exactly what I had intended and anticipated . Monsieur Steinmetz had come down there to put me out of his way , if he could . He passed me , leisurely strolling in the opposite direction , humming his favorite _ aria _ , bigger and yellower than ever , the evil eye fiery on his finger .