nine o'clock
There was an insolent defiance in the way these words were uttered , that told Grounsell all hope of negotiation was gone ; and the unhappy doctor sat overwhelmed by the weight of his own incapacity and unskilfulness . `` There , now , sir , leave me alone . To-morrow I 'll find out if a man is to be treated in this way . If I 'm not discharged out of this jail before nine o'clock , _ I _ 'll know why , and _ you 'll _ never forget it , the longest day you live . '' Crestfallen and dispirited , Grounsell retired from the cell and returned to the inn . Grounsell lost no time in summoning to his aid Mr. Hipsley , one of the leading members of the Irish bar ; but while he awaited his coming , difficulties gathered around him from every side . Lenahan , the old farmer , who was at first so positive about the identity of the prisoner , began to express some doubts and hesitations on the subject `` It was so many years back since he had seen him , that it was possible he might be mistaken ; '' and , in fact , he laid far more stress on the fashion of a certain fustian jacket that the man used to wear than on any marks and signs of personal resemblance .