nearly nine o'clock
Bert greeted his chums , and then sat down , to await , with what patience he could , the promised arrival of Mort . `` I hope he comes , '' thought the boy . `` I 'd like to get at the bottom of this . '' It was nearly nine o'clock when Mort looked in at the open door of the barn and nodded to Bert . `` I 'll be back in a little while , boys , '' said the young chief , as he followed the stenographer outside . There was an oil lamp in the driveway leading to the street , and Bert , pausing under it , pulled out the queer slip of paper , and showed it to Mort . `` I thought maybe you might know something about this , '' he said .