nine o'clock
Johnson had clearly no intention of spending the night away from home , for , as he was leaving the pit-bank , when Will Jones stepped up to him and said , -- `` Well , Thomas , I suppose you 'll have a rare tale to tell about your old mates to-morrow ; we must come all on us and hearken you . '' He had quietly replied , -- `` I hope , Will , you 'll hear nothing as 'll do any of you any harm , and I hope you wish me none , as I 'm sure I do n't wish any harm to you . I must n't tarry now , for our Betty 's off ; and I 've much to do at home , for to-morrow 'll be a busy day for me . '' A little later on , towards nine o'clock , one of the men in the plot passed by Johnson 's house , and heard his voice in conversation with some one else . All , therefore , was in a right train for their scheme to succeed . At ten o'clock the whole party met in a lane near Will Jones 's . `` It 's all right , '' said the man who had heard Johnson in conversation with another man a short time before .