nine o'clock
Slow and easytempered , he was formidable when driven to action . He brought to every purpose in life the same deliberate resoluteness which had distinguished him as a scientific student . He had laid his studies aside for a day , but he intended that the day should not be wasted . Not a word did he say to his host as to his plans , but by nine o'clock he was well on his way to Oxford . In the High Street he stopped at Clifford 's , the gun-maker 's , and bought a heavy revolver , with a box of central-fire cartridges . Six of them he slipped into the chambers , and half-cocking the weapon , placed it in the pocket of his coat . He then made his way to Hastie 's rooms , where the big oarsman was lounging over his breakfast , with the Sporting Times propped up against the coffeepot .