noon
The stillness gives warning that something is coming . All palms and finger-balls went down , now , all slouching forms straightened , all heads came up , all eyes were fastened upon Wilson 's face . He waited yet one , two , three moments , to let his pause complete and perfect its spell upon the house ; then , when through the profound hush he could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall , he put out his hand and took the Indian knife by the blade and held it aloft where all could see the sinister spots upon its ivory handle ; then he said , in a level and passionless voice -- `` Upon this haft stands the assassin 's natal autograph , written in the blood of that helpless and unoffending old man who loved you and whom you all loved . There is but one man in the whole earth whose hand can duplicate that crimson sign , '' -- he paused and raised his eyes to the pendulum swinging back and forth , -- `` and please God we will produce that man in this room before the clock strikes noon ! '' Stunned , distraught , unconscious of its own movement , the house half rose , as if expecting to see the murderer appear at the door , and a breeze of muttered ejaculations swept the place . `` Order in the court ! -- sit down ! ''