nine o'clock
He saw Surajah sitting upon his horse , a couple of hundred yards away , and then went to the stables . Chapter 16 : The Journey . The syce brought out his horse , as soon as he saw Dick approaching . `` You need not wait up for us , after nine o'clock , '' Dick said , as he mounted . `` It is possible that we may be detained , and shall not return until tomorrow evening . If we come , we shall certainly be back by nine at the latest , and we shall not be back before seven , at any rate , so that until then you are free to do as you like . '' He rode quietly off , and did not quicken his pace until he had got beyond the fort .