noon
laughed the General , in answer to their rapid-fire questions . `` Oh , I 've been in Washington , getting some letters to pave the way for us . But where 's von Hofe ? He was to meet us at noon . '' `` Well , is he not here ? '' came a heavy voice from behind , and von Hofe entered with a broad smile on his bearded face . `` You did not say five minutes before the hour , or one minute after the hour , so that I came on the hour -- ach !