eight o'clock
`` It 's after six now . I 'll be ready when you get back , Billy ! '' A moment later Billy had set forth in the black coldness . It was eight o'clock that evening when the revellers at the Black Cat heard a crunching of the snow as a sled rapidly passed the tavern . Leon Tate was mixing drinks , with a practised and obliging hand , when the unaccustomed sound struck his ear ; he paused , but when the unappreciative driver passed , he lost interest . `` Thought some one was coming ? '' Tom Smith suggested .