Noon
His breathing was sharply audible , as of one drugged by sleep ; his body had not moved an inch in an hour or more , so fierce was the suspense that held him rigid . From time to time he swallowed , although his mouth was dry and empty ; there was a rattling sound accompanying the act that suggested the hoarse croak of a frog . Always his gaze was on the door , never wavering , unblinkng , fascinated by the horror that was creeping down to him as surely as the sun crept up to the apex of the day . Noon ! Twelve o'clock , midday ! The hour they were dreading ! One of the shivering thieves beside the stove drew forth from a ragged pocket the plutocratic timepiece of a millionaire victim .