nine o’clock in the morning
There was a very small cloud of white smoke drifting away into space , and a faint smell of gunpowder in the air . He felt his cheek and , withdrawing his fingers , gazed at them with a little nervous laugh -- they were wet with blood . He looked up and down the broad pathway . For nine o'clock in the morning the Birdcage Walk was marvellously deserted . A girl , however , who had been driving a small car very slowly on the other side of the road , suddenly swung across , drew up by the kerb and leaned towards him . `` Hugh -- Major Thomson , what is the matter with you ? '' He dabbed his cheek with his pocket handkerchief .