noon
she flashed , and did not wait for an answer . He chuckled to himself as she swept imperiously out of sight around a corner of the deck-building . He was up bright and early the next morning , tingling with anticipation . There ought to be word from Paris before noon , and it might come earlier . He kept pretty close to the wireless operator 's office , and was particularly attentive to the spitting crackle of the instrument . About eleven o'clock an incomprehensibly long message began to rattle out of the air . He contained himself in patience for the matter of half an hour or longer , and then , as the clatter continued without cessation , he got up and made his way to the door of the operator 's office .