noon
I am not allowed to go beyond the verandah , and when at first I disobeyed there was always one of them in wait to force me back with a pistol behind my head . Every morning Léon brings us food for the day -- good food , but not enough , so that Cousin Eugènie is always hungry , and each day he and Spidel question and threaten me . This afternoon Spidel has told me that their patience is at an end . He has given me till to-morrow at noon to produce the jewels . If not , he says I will die . '' `` Mercy on us ! '' Dickson exclaimed .