noon
He did not sleep well . All night long , phantom telegraph-messengers were rapping at the door , and he started up every now and then to receive cablegrams which faded away as he awoke . Shortly after breakfast he went to the telegraph-office , but found that nothing had arrived for him . ` I am afraid , ' said the operator , ` that nothing will come on before noon . ' ` Before noon ! ' echoed John . ` Why ? '