half past ten
`` He would never have dismissed his two policemen , if he had run the risk of keeping the Diamond in his own house again . '' We waited another half-hour for the boy , and waited in vain . It was then time for Mr. Bruff to go to Hampstead , and for me to return to Rachel in Portland Place . I left my card , in charge of the porter at the chambers , with a line written on it to say that I should be at my lodgings at half past ten , that night . The card was to be given to the boy , if the boy came back . Some men have a knack of keeping appointments ; and other men have a knack of missing them . I am one of the other men .