two o'clock
It was known that William Durgin had disappeared , and that the constables were searching for him . The air was thick with flying projectures , but none of them precisely hit the mark . One rumor there was which seemed almost like a piece of poetical justice , -- a whisper to the effect that Rowland Slocum was suspected of being in some way mixed up with the murder . The fact that Lawyer Perkins , with his green bag streaming in the wind , so to speak , had been seen darting into Mr. Slocum 's private residence at two o'clock that afternoon was sufficient to give birth to the horrible legend . `` Mitchell 's Alley , '' said Mr. Taggett , thrusting his arm through Richard 's , and hurrying on the escape the Stillwater gaze . `` You went there directly from the station the night you got home . '' `` How did you know that ? ''