nine o'clock
Here were Mr. Whitbread and Mr. Fenwick , in whose company I had often been seen in public before the late troubles , condemned and awaiting sentence ; and here was a fellow with a branded hand asking after me in Waltham Cross . Oates and Bedloe and Tonge and Kirby and a score of others were evidence that any man who sought his fortune might very well do so in Popish plots and accusations ; and it was quite believable that Dangerfield was one more of them , and that after these new events he was after me . Yet , still , I did not wish to alarm my Cousin Tom ; for he was a man who could not hide his feelings , I thought . It was growing dark now ; for it was after nine o'clock , and cloudy , with no moon to rise ; and all would soon be gone to bed ; so what I did I must do at once . I sat still in my chair , thinking that if I were hunted out of Hare Street I had nowhere to go ; and then on a sudden I remembered the King 's packet which he had given me , and which I still carried , as always , wrapped in oil-cloth next to my skin , since no word had come from him as to what I was to do with it . And at that remembrance I determined that I must undergo no risks . `` James , '' I said , `` I think that we must be ready to go away if we are threatened in any way .