nearly two o'clock
`` I do n't think Mr. McGuire expects you just yet , sir , '' said the man . `` Nevertheless , tell him I must see him , '' said Peter . `` It 's important . '' Though it was nearly two o'clock , McGuire was not yet dressed and his looks when Peter was admitted to him bespoke a long night of anxiety and vigil . Wearing an incongruous flowered dressing gown tied at the waist with a silken cord , he turned to the visitor . `` Well , '' he said rather peevishly . `` I 'm sorry to disturb you , Mr. McGuire , but something has happened that I thought -- '' `` What 's happened ? ''