nine o'clock
No argument has ever been able to convince Paragot that the statue did not nod its head and point the way to Italy . For some years I myself believed it ; but at last it became obvious that the flashing gleams of light over the wet statue had made him the victim of a trick of the eyes . I think the only serious offence I ever gave Paragot was when I presented to him this solution of the mystery . Varied discourse and a meal in a Strand eating-house filled up the hours till nine o'clock . And then I started for Wonderland with Paragot . * * * * * We stayed in Paris but two days . When I asked my master why our sojourn was not longer , he said something about the `` bitter-sweet '' of it , which I could not understand .