eleven
o'clock
`` And a very excellent one , '' agreed Jasper , `` but unfortunately you appointed your guards too late . '' Mr. Mann went back to his office , his brain in a whirl , yet such was his habit that he did not allow himself to speculate upon the new and amazing situation until he had carefully jotted down every new fact he had collected . It was astounding that he had overlooked the connection between Jasper Cole and John Minute 's wife . His labors did not cease until eleven o'clock , and he was preparing to go home when the commissionaire who acted as caretaker came to tell him that a lady wished to see him . `` A lady ? At this hour of the night ? '' said Mr. Mann , perturbed .