four o'clock
`` You must get out , '' muttered Plank ; `` you must get well , and get out into the sunshine . '' And he went ponderously down-stairs to the square hall , where Gumble held his hat and gloves ready for him . He had come in a big yellow and black touring-car ; and now , with a brief word to his mechanic , he climbed into the tonneau , and away they sped down town -- a glitter of bull 's - eye , brass , and varnish , with the mellow , horn notes floating far in their wake . It was exactly four o'clock when he was ushered into Quarrier 's private suite in the great marble Algonquin Loan and Trust Building , the upper stories of which were all golden in the sun against a sky of sapphire . Quarrier was alone , gloved and hatted , as though on the point of leaving . He showed a slight surprise at seeing Plank , as if he had not been expecting him ; and the manner of offering his hand subtly emphasised it as he came forward with a trace of inquiry in his greeting . `` You said four o'clock , I believe , '' observed Plank bluntly .