noon
Who of these had the money now ? Who but Cargan and Max , their faces serene , their eyes eagerly on the preparations for lunch , their plans for leaving Baldpate Inn no doubt already made ? And then Mr. Magee saw coming down the stairs another figure -- one he had forgot -- Professor Thaddeus Bolton , he of the mysterious dialogue by the annex door . On the professor 's forehead was a surprising red scratch , and his eyes , no longer hidden by the double convex lenses , stood revealed a washed-out gray in the light of noon . `` A most unfortunate accident , '' explained the old man . `` Most distressing . I have broken my glasses .