noon
`` I am anxious to get back , '' said Orcutt , offering his cigar case , `` but I do n't want to return without having a look at the mill site . How far is it from here ? '' `` About forty miles . If you leave here right after noon you will make it before noon to-morrow . '' `` I 'll do it , and return the following day . '' The two men smoked with their eyes upon the minute hand that slowly crept toward twelve . Now and then Cameron 's glance strayed through the window toward the trading post , as though he half expected to see John McNabb step to its door .