eight o'clock
`` Well , sir , Hardy gave the alarm a little after seven . The servants were already up and crowded around there immediately , and I should say that every one , including the ladies , was out within twenty minutes , or thirty at the latest , with the exception of Mrs. LaGrange and her son . '' `` At what time did the latter appear ? '' `` It must have been considerably after eight o'clock , sir , when she came to the library in response to a message from Mr. Whitney . '' `` And her son ? '' `` I did not see Mr. Walter LaGrange at all during the forenoon , sir . '' `` How was that ? ''