nine o'clock
The vicar would have had to seek out the attorney , to lie in wait for and to woo him . But Jos. Larkin 's pride , like all his other passions -- except his weakness for the precious metals -- was under proper regulation . Jim Dutton might arrive at any moment , and it would not do to risk his publishing the melancholy intelligence of Mark Wylder 's death before the transfer of the vicar 's reversion ; and to prevent that risk the utmost promptitude was indispensable . At nine o'clock , therefore , he presented himself , attended by his legal henchmen as before . ` Another man might not have come here , Mr. Wylder , until his presence had been specially invited , after the -- the -- ' when he came to define the offence it was not very easy to do so , inasmuch as it consisted in the vicar 's having unconsciously very nearly escaped from his fangs ; ` but let that pass . I have had , I grieve to say , by this morning 's post a most serious letter from London ; ' the attorney shook his head , while searching his pocket . ` I 'll read just a passage or two if you 'll permit me ; it comes from Burlington and Smith .