nine o'clock
You ca n't do anything for Maxwell yet . '' Ernshaw followed him into the sitting-room , and as he took up the decanter Garthorne went on , holding up the brandy decanter , which had only a few spoonfuls left in it : `` Look at that . You heard what his man said . Do you mean to tell me that I could have drunk even half of that since nine o'clock and be as sober as I certainly am ? The idea is absurd . '' Then he poured out a little into a wine-glass , put his hand under Sir Arthur 's head , and let a few drops trickle between his lips . Sir Arthur , who had been gradually regaining consciousness , drew a deep breath which ended in a cough .