nine o'clock
So Billy went on his way alone . Nor did he seem disappointed at Conniston 's refusal to accompany him . It was only when it began to grow dusk and the boy brought Garton 's supper that Conniston got up and went down the street to his own solitary evening meal at the lunch-counter . It was after nine o'clock , and Conniston was lying on his cot in the little rear room of the office-building listening to Tommy Garton talk about reclamation -- it seemed the only thing in the world he cared to talk about during working-hours or after -- when the outside door was flung open and a man 's heavy tread came through the office and to their sleeping-room . `` That 'll be Truxton , '' Garton said . `` Wants to see you , I guess . '' The heavy tread came on through the office , and the door to Garton 's room was flung open with as little ceremony as the front door had been .