nine o'clock
`` I 'm speaking from Charing Cross station ; can you hear me ? '' the voice continued . `` I 've had a letter from my father ; he 's ill , and I must go to him at once . I 'm starting now , nine o'clock . '' I glanced at the clock , which showed a quarter to nine . `` I 'll be with you in five minutes -- darling ! '' I responded , throwing in the last word with immense audacity . ''