nine o'clock
`` Good ! I did n't think of that , '' said Richard , with enthusiasm . `` Now , Grant , not a word must be said of the events of to-night . '' It was after nine o'clock when this conference was finished , and the boys had retired . Richard and the principal left the office , and repaired to the stables , where they found three of the instructors , including Mr. Gault . The horses were attached to the pontoon wagon , ready for a start . The whole party seated themselves in the vehicle , and were driven by the public road to a spot near the shore of the lake .