about noon
Laughing and crying , Sibyl ran to meet him ; and the mountaineer , who had so many times looked death in the face , unafraid and unmoved , wept like a child as he held the girl in his arms . When Sibyl and Aaron had related briefly the events that led up to their meeting with the Ranger , and he in turn had told them how he had followed the track of the automobile and , finding the hidden supplies , had followed the trail of James Rutlidge from that point , the officer asked the girl several questions . Then , for a little while he was silent , while they , guessing his thoughts , did not interrupt . Finally , he said , `` Jack is due at Granite Peak , sometime about noon . He 'll have his horse , and with Sibyl riding , we 'll make it back down to the head of Clear Creek by dark . You young folks just wait for me here a little . I want to look around below there , a bit . ''