noon
`` How long a drive is it ? '' Dick asked resignedly . `` It 's about two hundred and seventy miles . If we can start by one or two , bar accidents we ought to be in Madrid by noon . '' `` The royal bull-fight 's to-morrow , '' answered Dick . `` Although the wedding 's next day , and the invitations have been out a fortnight , Carmona and Lady Monica are bound to be there , as it 's a royal invitation show ; that means a command . '' `` Very well , '' said I. `` Since it may be as difficult to reach her in Madrid as in Seville and Granada , I shall wait outside the entrance to the bull-ring , and as she 's about to go in , she shall see me and hear the whole truth .