Ten o'clock
After all , perhaps it was better to reach Bleachers at night , and trust to rousing up the people in the one tavern of the place . It was after midnight when his task was accomplished , and having seen to the accommodation of a very tired and hungry horse , Stranleigh threw himself down , dressed as he was , upon the bed to which he was shown by a sleepy ostler . He had had quite enough equestrian exercise for one day . Ten o'clock had struck next morning before he woke , and went down to breakfast . His mind had become clarified , and he knew now exactly what he meant to do . To avoid the cognizance of Ricketts was impossible ; of that he was certain . His first object , then , was to draw a red herring across the trail , so he enquired from the hotel-keeper the whereabouts of Ricketts ' office , and was directed to it .