About noon
But when the doctor had left he quietly poured half of the contents of the bottle into the wash bowl , where it speedily drained from sight ! `` Do n't catch me drinking such rot , '' he muttered to himself . `` I 'd rather have some good liquor any day , '' and he took a long pull from a black bottle he had in his valise . About noon a carriage drove up to the hotel and two men alighted . One led the way into the hotel and asked to see the register . `` I 'd like to see Mr. David Ball , '' said he to the clerk . `` Mr. Ball is sick . ''