nine o'clock
He could think of only one friend who was able , or possibly willing to do anything . This was the glass manufacturer , Hammond ; but he was not in the city . Gerhardt did not know this , however . When nine o'clock came , he went alone to the court , for it was thought advisable that the others should stay away . Mrs. Gerhardt was to hear immediately what happened . He would come right back . When Sebastian was lined up inside the dock he had to wait a long time , for there were several prisoners ahead of him .