nine o'clock
At the Sea Cliff station he slowed up ; then , on a sudden impulse , stopped his car at the platform with sharp precision and entered the tiny waiting-room . From the ticket window a pretty girl looked out on him with the expression of sudden interest feminine eyes usually took on when this young man was directly in their line of vision . With uncovered curly head deferentially bent , he addressed her . Had she happened to notice a dark limousine go by an hour or so before , say around half-past eight or nine o'clock ? The girl shook her head . She had not come on duty until nine , and even if such a car had passed she would hardly have observed it , owing to the frequency of the phenomenon and her own exacting responsibilities . Laurie admitted that these responsibilities would claim all the attention of any mind .