noon
We met on the afternoon of the preceding day . I put my whole fate to the test , and Cynthia never wavered . We arranged to meet at two o'clock next day . On the morning itself , just before noon , I hurried out from my lodging upon a final errand , intending to change my clothes and lock my bags , upon my return , within half an hour . My papers were in the pockets of the clothes I intended to wear , and a supply of money was left locked in my handbag . The most important moment of my life was at hand , and , as I walked down the crowded Strand into Fleet Street , I was conscious of such a measure of exaltation as I had never known before that day . And then , for the second time in my life , brute force intervened , and made utter havoc of all my plans and prospects .