the hour of four
said Kernan , breathing smiling joy and patting the detective 's arm . `` Come into Muller 's , '' said Woods , `` and let 's hunt a quiet table . I 'd like to talk to you awhile . '' It lacked a few minutes to the hour of four . The tides of trade were not yet loosed , and they found a quiet corner of the café . Kernan , well dressed , slightly swaggering , self-confident , seated himself opposite the little detective , with his pale , sandy mustache , squinting eyes and ready-made cheviot suit . `` What business are you in now ? ''