eight o’clock
A mere question in such a case would be offensive , and I would not risk the chance . What I would most wish is , to place my despatch-box , with the key , in your keeping , for the purposes of the inquiry , for I must start in half an hour . I have sent for post-horses to Moate , and ordered a special train to town . I shall , I hope , catch the eight o'clock boat for Holyhead , and be with his lordship before this time to-morrow . If I do not see the ladies , for I believe they are out walking , will you make my excuses and my adieux ? my confusion and discomfiture will , I feel sure , plead for me . It would not be , perhaps , too much to ask for any information that a police inquiry might elicit ; and if either of the young ladies would vouchsafe me a line to say what , if anything , has been discovered , I should feel deeply gratified . '