nearly nine o'clock
`` Well , we 'll see what we shall see , '' mused Ned on the appointed evening , when a telephone message from Mr. Damon informed the young bank clerk that the eccentric man was coming to call for him before going on to the Swift place . A Runaway Giant `` What do you think it 's all about , Mr. Damon ? '' `` I 'm sure I do n't know , Ned . '' The two were at the home of the young bank clerk , preparing to start for the Swift place , it being nearly nine o'clock on the evening named by the youthful inventor . `` Bless my hat-rack ! '' went on the eccentric man , `` but Tom is n't at all like himself of late . He 's working on some invention , I know that , but it 's all I do know .