two in the morning
When they reached that village , the car was stopped by Father John . He had heard of the sad occurrence late on the previous evening , for Pat Brady had spared no exertions in disseminating the news of the catastrophe far and wide as he returned from Carrick . He had stopped at the priest 's gate , and finding Father John absent on a sick visit , had nearly frightened Judy out of her life , by telling her what had happened . Father John had not returned home till two in the morning , and he then heard some garbled version of the story , from which he was led to believe that Thady was in custody at Carrick , for the murder of Ussher . Early on the morning of the inquest , he went into Carrick , and there learnt from the police the truth , and ascertained the fact that an inquest was held on the body that day , and that both old Macdermot and his daughter were to be examined at it . Up to this time Father John did not know that Feemy had left Drumsna ; and though the police informed him that she had been absolutely present when the fatal blow was struck , he could not believe it , and hurried off to Mrs. McKeon 's , to tell her all that he knew , and learn from her all that she could tell him . The kind-hearted man hardly knew what he was doing , so shocked was he , and surprised by what he had heard .