eight o'clock
`` I 'll wire to them at home to drive along the road and meet me , and I 'll walk on till they do . '' `` Well , it 's fine , and I dessay they 'll meet you more 'n half way , but 't is a lonely road this time o ' night . '' `` I 'm not afraid , '' said I , and walked off briskly . I bought a couple of buns in a baker 's shop , and went on to the telegraph office -- only to be told it was just after eight o'clock , and they could send no message that night . I turned out my pockets , but all the coins I had were a sixpenny and a threepenny piece -- not enough to pay for a night 's lodging , I was sure . The cabman 's extortion , and a half-crown I had given to the porter at Paddington in my haste , had reduced me to this . What should I do ?