noon
Some were clad in like attire , others carried a henchman 's shield , a paper lantern or a branch of flowers ; Tian alone displayed himself without reserve . `` There are moments , '' said Ah-tang , `` when this person 's admitted accomplishment of transfixing three foemen with a single javelin at a score of measured paces does not seem to provide a possible solution . Undoubtedly we are face to face with a crafty plan , and Ko'en Cheng has surely heard that Wu Sien is marching from the west . If we fail to knock upon the outer gate of Ti-foo at noon to-day Ko'en Cheng will say : ` My word returns . It is as naught . ' If they who go are clad as underlings , Ko'en Cheng will cry : ` What slaves be these ! Do men break plate with dogs ?