five o'clock
`` Scotch and lithia ! '' he said hoarsely ; the Japanese steward looked at Quarrier ; then , at that gentleman 's almost imperceptible nod , went away to execute the commission . He executed a great many similar commissions during the trip to New York . When they arrived there at five o'clock , Quarrier offered Mortimer his hand , and held the trembling , puffy fingers as he leaned closer , saying with cold precision and emotionless emphasis something that appeared to require the full concentration of Mortimer 's half-drugged faculties . And when at length Mortimer drove away in a hansom , Quarrier 's Japanese steward went with him -- perhaps to carry his suit case -- a courtesy that did credit to Quarrier 's innate thoughtfulness and consideration for others . He was very considerate ; he even called Agatha up on the telephone and talked with her for ten minutes . Then he telephoned to Plank 's office , learned that Harrington was already there , telephoned the garage for a Mercedes which he always kept ready in town , and presently went bowling away to a conference on which the last few hours had put an entirely new aspect .