noon
I 'm sorry , '' said the sheriff . `` It 's business , you know . Besides , it wo n't take you more than an hour . I must get across to Verdon before noon or it 'll be too late to get the papers ` backed ' there . Come on , man ; you can get another cutter and follow Grey up in an hour . You wo n't lose much time . '' `` Yes , and who 's going to pay the damage ? ''