Half past
nine
Wauchope had promised , Honor Bright , he 'd come and bring a friend . And Ransome , in a weak moment , had consented to be brought . The Service would be at eight , and would last , say , till nine . Half past nine was the very earliest hour he could fix for his appointment with Miss Usher . For he had seen her . She had risen up before him , to his amazement , on that Sunday evening , as he turned out of his own door on his way to supper with Wauchope at Clapham . He had walked with her for five minutes , wheeling his bicycle in the gutter , while they settled how and where they were to meet .