noon
He went without his dress-suit case and carried his money in four different pockets . The train was almost empty and the riding proved decidedly lonely . In a seat he found an Omaha paper , but he was in no humor for reading . When noon came he took his time eating his dinner , so that the afternoon 's ride might not appear so lasting . About half-past two o'clock the train came to an unexpected halt . Looking out of the window Joe saw that they were in something of a cut , close to the edge of a woods . The delay continued , and presently one passenger after another alighted , to learn the meaning of the hold-up .