eight o'clock in the morning
Guy makes his way through the spacious corridors thronged with clerks , civilians , foreigners from every part of the globe , and at last reaches the private apartments of the chief . The Right Honorable Lord is deeply engaged , but his private secretary receives Chutney cordially , and , leading him back into a still more secluded and stately apartment , motions him to a soft chair and sits down opposite him . `` Captain Chutney , '' he begins abruptly , `` you leave for India tomorrow ? '' `` India Mail , eight o'clock in the morning , '' Guy replies briefly . `` Very well . We are going to intrust you with a very important commission . You will stop off at Aden , cross the Gulf of Aden in the semi-weekly steamer , and present these documents to Sir Arthur Ashby , the Political Resident of Zaila , the fortified town of the Somali Coast Protectorate . ''