nine o’clock
As a last resort Calhoun gave the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle . There was no recognition ; instead a testy , `` Why do n't you go ? '' Calhoun 's face flamed with anger , but controlling himself , he replied : `` When you receive some mail from the South , you may find some dispatches from General Forrest which will cause you to treat me differently . If such dispatches come , be here in your office at nine o'clock to-night . '' When Calhoun mentioned `` mail from the South , '' and `` General Forrest , '' the Judge turned pale , and Calhoun fancied he made a motion as if to stop him ; but the young man paid no attention to the signal , and strode indignantly from the office . No sooner was he gone than the Judge turned eagerly to a pile of mail which he had just received , and which the coming of Calhoun had interrupted him in reading . Hurriedly running over the letters , he picked out one , and opened it with nervous fingers .