nine o'clock
He noiselessly slipped from the bed , huddled on some clothes , washed his face in cold water at the kitchen sink , and let himself out of the house . The open air refreshed him almost as much as sleep could have done . He walked nearly five miles and back on the Manninglea Road , and would not even glance at the busy sorting-room when he came in again . Mavis accompanied him to Rodchurch Road Station , and saw him off by the nine o'clock train . He looked very dignified in his newest bowler hat and black frock-coat , with a light overcoat on one arm and his wife 's gloved hand on the other ; and as he walked up and down the platform he endeavored to ignore the fact that he was an object of universal attention . When buying his ticket he had let fall a guarded word or two about the nature of his errand , and from the booking-office the news had flown up and down both sides of the station , round the yard , and even into the signal cabins . `` See Mr. Dale ? ''