about nine o'clock
You can not begin until the guard closes your door . You tell me he never comes in . '' `` No , he brings the last meal an hour before sunset . I generally sit on the top of the steps , till he comes up to lock the door , which is about nine o'clock ; and I do not see him again until he unbars the door in the morning . I should not think that it will take as long as two hours to make the ladder , and cut the thatch ; at any rate , by eleven I ought to join you . `` I suppose the gates are open . '' `` Oh , yes !