eight
o'clock
This was the question that filled Keith 's mind as he listened to the voice at the other end of the wire . It was pitched to a high treble as if unconsciously the speaker feared that the storm might break in upon her words . She was telling him that she had telephoned McDowell but had been too late to catch him before he left for Brady 's bungalow ; she was asking him to pardon her for intruding upon his time so soon after his return , but she was sure that he would understand her . She wanted him to come up to see her that evening at eight o'clock . It was important -- to her . Would he come ? Before Keith had taken a moment to consult with himself he had replied that he would .