Noon
It was rather a gloomy spot , considering that it happened to be so near a town . The trees grew pretty thick all around the rambling path ; and one big , old , giant oak in particular caught Fred 's attention , on account of the fact that it seemed to be rapidly going into decay , being full of holes , where perhaps squirrels , or it might be a raccoon , had a den . Then he heard the whistle from the factory in town , immediately followed by the ringing of the church bells . Noon had come , and if Gabe carried out his regular programme he would soon be coming along the trail . Yes , that must be his whistle right now , turning off the latest air that had caught his fancy . Fred wanted to see him at close quarters . Perhaps he even had some faint idea of stepping out , and walking with Gabe , to judge for himself whether the other had a guilty air or not .