three
o'clock
You would be doing a kind thing if you would give me a word of advice . '' Iris willingly complied . A second note , from the anxious housekeeper , might help the effect of the few lines which Lord Harry had written . Arthur 's letter informed Iris that he had arranged to return at three o'clock . Lord Harry 's question to the groom , and the man 's reply , instantly recurred to her memory : `` Are there any strangers at Rathco ? '' -- `` Two new men at work in the grounds . '' Arriving at the same conclusion which had already occurred to Lord Harry , Iris advised the housekeeper , in writing to Arthur , to entreat him to change the hour , secretly , at which he left his friend 's house on the next day .