eight o'clock
To a similar effect , he also wrote to the solicitor who was working the docket which had been struck against Mr. Tag-rag ; and also to the solicitor who was employed on behalf of the shareholders in the Gunpowder and Fresh Water Company : -- in all of them reprobating , in terms of the keenest indignation , the unwarrantable and libellous use of his name which had been made , and making appointments for the individuals addressed to call at his chambers on the day after his arrival in town . Having thus done all in his power to counteract the injurious effects which were calculated to arise from so very premature and cruel a measure as that which had been taken , in offering a reward for his apprehension as an absconded felon , he folded up , sealed , and directed the letters , and took them himself to the post-office , in time for that night 's post ; and that he was really terribly excited , may be easily believed . He did not touch the dinner which he found laid for him on his return , but sat on the sofa , absorbed in thought , for nearly an hour : when he suddenly rang the bell , ordered his clothes to be instantly got ready for travelling , and his bill made out . He then went and secured a place in that night 's mail , which was starting for town at half-past eight o'clock . At that hour he quitted Brighton , being the only inside passenger -- a circumstance which gave him an ample opportunity for reflection , and of which doubtless he availed himself -- at all events , certain it is , that he closed not his eyes in sleep during the whole of the journey . Greatly to the surprise of his laundress , he made his appearance at his chambers between six and seven o'clock in the morning , rousing her from bed . He had thus , it will be observed , reached town contemporaneously with his own letters ; and as all the appointments which he had made , were for the day after that of his arrival , he had secured a twenty-four hours ' freedom from interruption of any sort , and resolved to avail himself of it , by keeping within doors the whole of the time , his laundress denying him , as usual , to any one who might call .