six o'clock
Witnesses from Hart 's Tavern were among those to testify . The verdict was `` Murder at the hands of parties unknown . '' Sprouse did not appear at the Tavern until long after nightfall . His protracted absence was the source of grave uneasiness to Barnes , who , having been summoned to St. Elizabeth , returned at six o'clock primed and eager for the night 's adventure . The secret agent listened somewhat indifferently to the latter 's account of his telephonic experiences . At nine o'clock he yawned prodigiously and announced that he was going to bed , much to the disgust of Mr. Rushcroft and greatly to the surprise of Mr. Barnes , who followed him from the tap-room and demanded an explanation . `` People usually go to bed at night , do n't they ? ''