noon
`` Good , '' said Mr. Wharton , but with no more enthusiasm than he had previously shown ; `` I thought I had not misjudged you . Is your law business so onerous that you could not go to-morrow ? '' I laughed . `` I think I could settle what affairs I have by noon , Mr. Wharton , '' I replied . `` Egad , Mr. Ritchie , I like your manner , '' said he ; `` and now for a few details , and you may go to bed . '' He sat with me half an hour longer , carefully reviewing his instructions , and then he left me to a night of contemplation . By eleven o'clock the next morning I had wound up my affairs , having arranged with a young lawyer of my acquaintance to take over such cases as I had , and I was busy in my room packing my saddle-bags for the journey .