five
o’clock
And yet I found myself continually turning the supposition over in my mind until , to escape the torment of my own conjectures , I seized my hat , and rushed into the street in the hope of finding him again and extorting from him an explanation of his mysterious conduct . But by the time I reached the sidewalk , he was nowhere to be seen . A thousand busy men , with their various cares and purposes , had pushed themselves between us , and I was obliged to return to my office with my doubts unsolved . I think I never experienced a longer day ; but it passed , and at five o'clock I had the satisfaction of inquiring for Mr. Clavering at the Hoffman House . Judge of my surprise when I learned that his visit to my office was his last action before taking passage upon the steamer leaving that day for Liverpool ; that he was now on the high seas , and all chance of another interview with him was at an end . I could scarcely believe the fact at first ; but after a talk with the cabman who had driven him off to my office and thence to the steamer , I became convinced . My first feeling was one of shame .