noon before
`` Right away , in half an hour -- '' `` Just pack a suit-case for us both . We 'll stay one night . I 'll take a bag , too , that I have in my trunk . '' It was noon before he returned with a staunch touring car ready for the trip . He opened the little steamer trunk which he had always kept locked and took from it a small leather bag . He placed it on the floor , and , in spite of careful handling , the ring of metal inside could be distinctly heard . `` What on earth have you got in that queer black bag ? ''