two o'clock
`` HARKAWAY . '' This letter he sent by a trusty messenger to the spot appointed for the meeting place , and they waited impatiently for the further result . It was not long coming . Before two o'clock , Marietta discovered another letter tied to the garden gate , but how it came there they were unable to decide . Be that as it may , it was soon discovered to be of the highest importance to them in the present state of affairs . It was brief and startling , and ran as follows -- `` We do not bandy words with you . We offer our conditions .