nearly ten o'clock
`` Have you heard from Coroner Penfield ? '' `` No . I tried several times to get him on the telephone , but without success , '' replied Kent ; his disappointment at not receiving an answer to his question showed in his manner . `` I went to Penfield 's house last night , but he had been called away on a case and , although I waited until nearly ten o'clock , he had not returned when I left . Have you had word from him ? '' `` Not -- not directly . '' She had been nervously twisting her handkerchief about in her fingers ; suddenly she turned and looked full at Kent , her eyes burning feverishly .