Two o'clock
`` Hush , you fool ! '' growled the older burglar , with an oath : then there was a few moments ' silence , and the two crept back . They sat down under the shelter of some large shrubs , with their backs to John , who could only just make them out from his hiding-place , for it was now getting quite dark . A little while , and they rose , and passed very near their unsuspected watcher , who could just catch the words `` Two o'clock , '' as they made their way back to the fence . A few moments more , and they were clear of the grounds . John Randolph 's mind was made up in a moment what to do . Having cautiously followed the two men into the road , and ascertained that they were not lurking anywhere about `` The Shrubbery , '' he hurried off at once to Hopeworth , and communicated what he had seen and heard to the police .