about a quarter past
     eight
But no premonition of its contents reached her still weary , excited brain . Written on a large plain sheet of paper , the letter ran : `` My dear Blanche , -- I fear I am going to give you a shock -- for , by the time this reaches you , there will have been another accident -- one very similar to that which befell poor little Bubbles . But this time there will be no clever , skilful Panton to bring the drowned to life . `` I suggest that you begin to feel uneasy about a quarter past eight . I leave to your good sense the details of the sad discovery . I have but one request to make to you , kindest and truest of friends ; that is , that you remember what I asked you to do with reference to Panton 's appointment to-morrow morning . If you can get a telegram or telephone message through to Gifford to-night , I think that appointment will be postponed indefinitely .