about ten o'clock
He carried rather a heavy basket upon his arm , with which he strode moodily along the road , resting occasionally at bridges and gates , whereon he deposited his burden for a time . Midway on his journey he met , returning in the darkness , the men and the waggon which had conveyed the tomb . He merely inquired if the work was done , and , on being assured that it was , passed on again . Troy entered Weatherbury churchyard about ten o'clock and went immediately to the corner where he had marked the vacant grave early in the morning . It was on the obscure side of the tower , screened to a great extent from the view of passers along the road -- a spot which until lately had been abandoned to heaps of stones and bushes of alder , but now it was cleared and made orderly for interments , by reason of the rapid filling of the ground elsewhere . Here now stood the tomb as the men had stated , snow-white and shapely in the gloom , consisting of head and foot-stone , and enclosing border of marble-work uniting them . In the midst was mould , suitable for plants .