about nine o'clock
Well , do n't worry yourself ; it will be a rum thing if I ca n't bring you out something for breakfast and dinner to-morrow . '' `` Do n't forget a little bit extra for supper to-night , Sankey , '' Chris laughed ; `` that crust went a very short distance , and I feel game for at least a good-sized loaf . '' Although he said good-bye to his friend cheerfully , Chris felt more down-hearted than he had done since he had said farewell to his mother more than two months before , as Sankey disappeared in the darkness , leaving him sitting among some bushes close to the road . His last words had been , `` It is somewhere about nine o'clock now ; if I am not back by twelve do n't wait any longer . But do n't worry about me ; if I am caught , I have no doubt sooner or later I shall give them the slip again , but I do n't think there is any real occasion for you to bother . Unless by some unlucky fluke , I am safe to get through all right . '' Then with a wave of his hand he started confidently along the road .