two o'clock in the morning
The blunderbuss had not exploded ; it always made that grand , booming , rattling , diffusive sort of a report . The dead hound 's collar was examined , and was discovered to bear the initials A.R. `` Who is A.R. ? '' asked the Squire ; and Mr. Nash replied : `` He is no doubt my affianced bridegroom , Haltamont Rawdon . '' It was two o'clock in the morning ; so the guard was relieved , and the former sentries returned to their posts ; but the Squire noticed , with a frown , that , just as the relief arrived at Mr. Errol 's beat , a female form clothed in black darted round the stables towards the kitchen door . Also , he saw that the minister had a most unmilitary muffler , in the shape of a lady 's cloud , round his neck , which he certainly had not when he went on duty . His high respect for the reverend gentleman hindered any outward expression of his combined amusement and annoyance . Muggins came back with Mr. Perrowne , but obstinately refused to go near the dead hound .