noon
`` Did you have any mark on the dipper ? '' `` Yes ; a shield on the bottom , though -- though -- 't was not a very good one . '' No , to that day it remained uncertain what the device really was , and its character had been hotly discussed in the club . Charlie had discovered the theft on his return from school at noon . Swallowing a potato and a few mouthfuls of steak , he then rushed from the house to report the loss to the club . In a short time all the white shields had heard the news , and quickly gathered . `` Well , boys , what is to be done ? ''