Midday
Opening the man 's loose shirt , Perkins thrust his hand within . It might have been supposed that he was feeling for the heart action , were it not that his hand slid past the breast and around under the arm . When he drew it out , he stood for a moment with chin dropped , in consideration . Midday heat had all but cleared the plaza . As he looked about , the helper saw no aid , until his eye fell upon the waiting cab . He fairly bounded up the stairs , calling something to the coachman . `` No , '' grunted that toiler , with the characteristic discourtesy of the Caracunan lower class , and jerked his head backward toward his fare .