about a quarter past eight
Then the three of them picked up Vane 's limp , loose-jointed form from the floor and carried him into his bedroom and laid him on the bed . `` Now , '' Garthorne continued , `` I want you to tell Mr. Ernshaw whether I came here after or before Mr. Maxwell had his coffee . '' `` A good half-hour after , I should say , sir , '' said the scout , looking a little mystified . `` You see , I brought it up about a quarter past eight , and he was up then and half dressed . He must have drunk it soon after , because he never will drink coffee unless it 's hot . If it had got cold he 'd have had some more up , and you came a bit before nine , sir . He must have drunk it before then . ''