about noon
`` If you would be so kind , '' said Thorndyke , motioning the officer to a chair . The superintendent seated himself with the manner of a man who has had a long and strenuous day , and forthwith began his story . `` As soon as we had your information , we procured a warrant for the arrest of both parties , and then I went straight to their flat with Inspector Badger and a sergeant . There we learned from the attendant that they were away from home and were not expected back until to-day about noon . We kept a watch on the premises , and this morning , about the time appointed , a man and a woman , answering to the description , arrived at the flat . We followed them in and saw them enter the lift , and we were going to get into the lift too , when the man pulled the rope , and away they went . There was nothing for us to do but run up the stairs , which we did as fast as we could race ; but they got to their landing first , and we were only just in time to see them nip in and shut the door .