noon on
Saturday
Strong had seen him when he came , and looked , and stood inert one moment there , unable to be of use , and had turned slowly back to his room under Bentley 's roof . Everybody knew it could not be more than a day or two before the affair would be announced as an engagement , and while every man felt that Willett had won a prize far beyond his deserts , there was not one that felt like tendering congratulation . But , as we said , there were other and important matters to claim the attention of the garrison , and just an hour before sunset that evening came the first . Case 's week was up , and , sharp on time at noon on Saturday , Case came forth from his room , tubbed , trimmed and shaved , went silently to his desk and then turned to Mr. Craney to ask what had become of the mail . `` Nary mail , '' said Craney . `` Not a cuss got in or out for over a week . '' `` Did n't Sanchez bring -- anything from Prescott ? ''