9 o'clock
The boys , several of them with guns in their hands , followed him to the road and stood there ready to run to his assistance if they should see any evidences of another attack . They continued the watch for fifteen or twenty minutes , until the lights of the automobile , which pierced the darkness far ahead , indicated that he had proceeded between one and two miles without interference . * * * * * Perhaps it were better not to attempt to describe with faithfulness of detail the reception given Mr. Stanlock by his wife and family on his return home shortly before 9 o'clock that night . The fear that something of serious nature had intervened to prevent his appearing at the usual dinner hour had taken firm hold of Mrs. Stanlock , Marion , sister Kathryn , and brother Harold . The fact that the police had been searching for him for two hours or more and had been unable to make any hopeful report , had not tended in the least to relieve the tension of suspense , which became almost unbearable . Then came the vague announcement from Mr. Stanlock 's stenographer at the latter 's home that he had been called away somewhere , but left no definite information .