noon
Leaving the chauffeur grumbling roundly , the three Rover boys hurried along the woodland trail . It made half a dozen turns , the last around a spring of pure cold water , which the tired-out lads could not resist . Each got a good drink and felt much refreshed . All were too excited to notice their hunger , even though they had not tasted a mouthful of food since the noon lunch . `` I see the house ! '' whispered Sam , presently , and pointed ahead , and his brothers nodded . Set in a cleared space was an old stone mansion , two stories high , and with several wings .