ten o'clock
he remarked , as if it were a matter of course . `` Why , certainly , '' answered Theron , stretching his legs contentedly under the table , and tucking the corner of his napkin in his neckband . -- `` Certainly , my good man . '' At ten o'clock Theron , loitering near the bookstall in the corridor , saw Father Forbes come downstairs , pass out through the big front doors , get into a carriage , and drive away . This relieved him of a certain sense of responsibility , and he retired to a corner sofa and sat down . The detective side of him being off duty , so to speak , there was leisure at last for reflection upon the other aspects of his mission . Yes ; it was high time for him to consider what he should do next .