about nine o'clock
But he did very much doubt whether a jury could find Nokes guilty , even if he could catch Nokes . Jacko 's evidence was worth nothing , and Mr. Medlicot might be easily mistaken as to what he had seen at a distance in the middle of the night . All this happened on Christmas-day . At about nine o'clock the same evening the two constables re-appeared at Gangoil , and asked for hospitality for the night . This was a matter of course , and also the reproduction of the Christmas dinner . Mrs. Medlicot was now there , and her son , with his collar-bone set , had been allowed to come out on to the veranda . The house had already been supposed to be full , but room , as a matter of course , was made for Sergeant Forrest and his man .