nine o'clock
Luckily he was of a somewhat phlegmatic temperament , and withal very tired after the day 's exertions ; so , in spite of the misfortunes which were crowding about him , he was able to resign himself to the inevitable , and eventually to drop off to sleep . Early next morning , however , he arranged to have a note delivered to Mrs. Allingford at the hotel , in which he informed that lady of his unfortunate predicament , begging her not to distress herself on his account ; and assuring her that in all probability it was merely a matter of a trifling fine , and that he should be at liberty to rejoin her within a few hours . He felt very little of what he wrote ; but as long as there was a chance of things coming out right , he wished to spare her all possible worry . His ready money procured him a better breakfast than he could have hoped for , and by nine o'clock , when the court opened , he was refreshed and ready for whatever might befall . His two companions in misfortune preceded him for trial , but their cases were soon disposed of , and Harold Scarsdale , _ alias _ Richard Allingford , was put into the dock . The court-room consisted of a plainly furnished apartment , containing a raised platform at one end , on which were placed the desk and armchair of the police magistrate , while in front were several rows of benches for the accommodation of the public : but as the cases were of no general interest , Scarsdale was relieved to see that the attendance was meagre . Mrs. Allingford was present , however , looking very white and distressed , but managing to muster up a smile to greet him as he entered .