nine o'clock
`` Oh , a good-evening , sir , '' replied the old fellow , `` and when you come home from the wars a full non-commissioned officer , you 'll be scowerin ' up your halbert every Christmas an ' Aisther , I hope ; an ' telling us long stories -- of all you killed an ' ate while you were away from us . '' Harry Clinton , now aware that the anonymous letter which his uncle had received that morning was the production of Hycy , resolved to watch the gauger 's motions very closely . After a great deal of reflection upon Hycy 's want of memory concerning their bargain , and upon a close comparison between his conduct and whole manner on the night in question , and his own account of the matter in the course of their last interview , he could not help feeling that his friend had stated a gross falsehood , and that the pretended want of recollection was an ingenious after-thought , adopted for the purpose of screening himself from the consequences of whatever injury he might inflict upon Bryan M'Mahon . `` Harry , '' said his uncle , as nine o'clock approached , `` I am going upon duty tonight . '' `` In what direction , sir ? may I ask . '' `` Yes , you may , but I 'm not bound to tell you .