about nine o'clock
They registered , and , in accordance with their directions , left a note with the hotel clerk for Enos Hardy . `` He 'll be in some time to-night , '' the clerk said . `` He comes here every evening . '' It was about nine o'clock that night when a message came to the boys ' room that Mr. Hardy would see them in the sitting room of the hotel . Jack went down alone , and found waiting for him a grizzly , heavily - bearded man , rather stoop-shouldered . He glanced from under his shaggy eyebrows at Jack . `` You left a message for Enos Hardy ? ''