about ten o'clock
`` They say , Mark , that a royal flush beats everything . Well , I played that . '' Mark tried to catch him but , with a low chuckle , he slipped into the room and closed the door . A few hours later -- about ten o'clock -- an automobile stopped in front of the New Willard Hotel , and the Minister and his secretary alighted . The visitors were shown at once into Father Murray 's room where Mark , Saunders and the priest waited . His Excellency took the chair offered him and , with some hesitation in his choice , of words , opened the conversation . `` Gentlemen , '' he said , `` I first wish to congratulate you on your persistence .