noon
I knew now , beyond a doubt , both from what Mr. Chiffinch had said and from the strangely mixed company , and the circumstances under which I found them , that something was forward ; but as to what it was all about I knew no more than the dead . Neither did I as yet see a single glimmer of light on the questions that had puzzled me just now . So I determined that when we were safe out on the lonely road I would throw a bait or two ; though my resolution still held that I would do no dirty work , even for His Majesty himself . I dined very tolerably , and lit a pipe afterwards : -LRB- my Lord told me that he used no tobacco -RRB- ; and presently in a kind of impatience -- for indeed the position I found myself in was a little disconcerting -- I observed that it was past noon . `` You are quite right , '' said my Lord , `` quite right . I will tell them to have the horses ready . Your servants are gone on before , I think you said , Mr. Mallock ? ''