nine o'clock
The Mercedes was waiting when he came out ready to run down to the great Hotel Corona , whither the Japanese steward had conducted Mortimer . Mortimer had dined heavily , but his disorganised physical condition was such that it had scarcely affected him at all . Again Quarrier went over patiently and carefully the very simple part he had reserved for Mortimer that evening , explaining exactly what to say to Leila and what to say to Plank in case of insolent interruption . Then he told Mortimer to be ready at nine o'clock , turned on his heel with a curt word to the Japanese , descended to the street , entered his motor-car again , and sped away to the Hotel Santa Regina . Miss Caithness was at home , came the message in exchange for his cards for Agatha and Mrs. Vendenning . He entered the gilded elevator , stepped out on the sixth floor into a tiny , rococo , public reception-room . Nobody was there besides himself ; Agatha 's maid came presently , and he turned and followed her into the large and very handsome parlour belonging to the suite which Agatha was occupying with Mrs. Vendenning for the few days that they were to stop in town .