noon
He would have pledged another month 's pay could he have throttled the story he knew now would be going the rounds . He was even more humiliated -- far more -- than they knew . They all would have shouted had they seen the hand he laid down , but he had striven to carry it off jocosely , to say _ he _ had only been bluffing , and was very properly caught at his own game . Oh , he had shown a game , sportsman-like front , and had striven to pass it all off as a matter that worried him not in the least , but Craney , clear-headed , believed otherwise , and Case , muddle-headed as he was by noon , knew better , and had his reasons for knowing -- reasons as potent as were those that moved him wholly to ignore Willett 's half-proffered hand . Case had nothing in particular to do all day , and could sleep if so minded . Willett , not knowing what moment he might be called upon to take active part in stirring service , should sleep , and so prepare himself , yet could not . Case 's personality , and Case 's one reference to Vancouver , two years previous , haunted and vexed him sorely .