midday
`` Wall , '' the sheriff said , after another hour of walking , `` if you 're goin ' to Flat Rock I 'd better leave you heah , an ' make my way to Arden . Our hunt 's ended , right enough ; an ' Gawd have mercy on his poh , ign ` rant soul ! '' They shook hands , and once more the mountaineer hurried on . The elaborate midday dinner at Arden had been dabbled at , or bolted with a rush which did scant justice to the cuisine of that hospitable establishment ; for a restiveness obsessed the household which would not be denied . The Colonel was wishing for the return of Doctor Stone -- and this happened to be the wish of Nancy . Brent cared little what took place if four o'clock would hurry around . Yet each shared in a vague apprehension for the mountaineer who , Zack told them , had not returned .