nine o'clock
`` Yes , I agree with you there . However , he wo n't have much chance of using either his pistols or his strength . Here is Malcolm coming , so I will walk away for a few minutes , and let you go in first . You can tell the ostler now that you will have your horse put in at nine o'clock . I have been thinking , by the way , that we had better take the trap round behind the house instead of leaving it in the drive . The man may come back this way , and if so , he might hear the horse stamp or make some movement , and that would at once put him on his guard . '' As the officers entered the inn Mark went into the yard and told the ostler that he had met some friends , and should let his horse remain there for the night .