noon
`` Germaine tells me there is a surprise in store for me and that I am not to know until to-morrow , at luncheon . Beyond that , she would tell me nothing , the little minx , except that I managed to make her confess that Alice was in the secret . '' He glanced at his watch , `` Ah ! '' he ejaculated , `` I must be getting to bed ; you , too , my old one , for we must get an early start in the morning , if we are to reach The Three Wolves by noon . '' He recovered his hat from the floor , straightened up , brushed the cigarette ashes from the breast of his long black soutane , shiny from wear , and held out his strong hand . `` Sleep well , '' he counselled , `` for to-morrow we shall be _ en fête _ . '' Then he swung open my door and passed out into the night , whistling as he crossed my courtyard a _ café chantant _ air that Germaine had taught him .