About ten o'clock
Wo n't you come and wash your hands . '' Mr. Quest had a very good dinner , and contrary to his custom drank the best part of a bottle of old port after it . He had an unpleasant business to face that evening , and felt as though his nerves required bracing . About ten o'clock he took his leave , and getting into a hansom bade the cabman drive to Rupert Street , Pimlico , where he arrived in due course . Having dismissed his cab , he walked slowly down the street till he reached a small house with red pillars to the doorway . Here he rang the bell . The door was opened by a middle-aged woman with a cunning face and a simper .