noon
Should civilization ever revive on earth , let the human race come hither and look upon this towering shaft , and learn to restrain selfishness and live righteously . From this ghastly pile let it derive the great lesson , that no earthly government can endure which is not built on mercy , justice , truth and love . I tied the paper to the cord and lowered it down to the waiting messenger . At noon Max returned . His clothes were torn , his face pale , his eyes wild-looking , and around his head he wore a white bandage , stained with his own blood . Christina screamed and his mother fainted . `` What is the matter , Max ? ''