noon
Dudley went home puzzled and angry . On the way thither a suspicion flashed into his mind . In the morning he made investigations , after which he rode round by the residence of his overseer . Returning to the house at noon , he ate his dinner in an ominous silence , which struck terror to the heart of the woman who waited on him and had already repented of her temerity . When she would have addressed him , with a look he froze the words upon her lips . When he had eaten he looked at his watch , and ordered a boy to bring his horse round to the door . He waited until he saw his overseer coming toward the house , then sprang into the saddle and rode down the lane , passing the overseer with a nod .