nine o'clock
Burt crouched down behind the withered oak with his weapon in his hand and waited for the coming of his victim . Ezra , though usually resolute and daring , had completely lost his nerve , and his teeth were chattering in his head . His father , on the other hand , was emotionless and impassive as ever . `` It 's close upon nine o'clock , '' Ezra whispered . `` Ten minutes to , '' said the other , peering at his great golden chronometer through the darkness . `` What if she fails to come ? '' `` We must devise other means of bringing her out . ''