noon
But this was impossible , owing to the peculiar situation of the room . The prospects of our young hero were certainly gloomy enough . But there 's an old saying that the darkest hour is just before the dawn , and deliverance was nearer than Jasper supposed . On the fourth day , at noon , Jasper heard steps ascending the stairs . He supposed it to be the old man , with his dinner , and he looked up listlessly as the sliding-door was opened . But instead of the wrinkled face of Nathan he beheld the fresh face of a young girl , apparently about sixteen years of age . She regarded the prisoner with curiosity and surprise .