three o’clock
When , therefore , I found myself the next morning with the Visitor Book of the Hotel Union at R -- in my hands , it was only by the strongest effort of will I could restrain my impatience . The suspense , however , was short . Almost immediately I encountered his name , written not half a page below those of Mr. Leavenworth and his nieces , and , whatever may have been my emotion at finding my suspicions thus confirmed , I recognized the fact that I was in the possession of a clue which would yet lead to the solving of the fearful problem which had been imposed upon me . Hastening to the telegraph office , I sent a message for the man promised me by Mr. Gryce , and receiving for an answer that he could not be with me before three o'clock , started for the house of Mr. Monell , a client of ours , living in R -- . I found him at home and , during our interview of two hours , suffered the ordeal of appearing at ease and interested in what he had to say , while my heart was heavy with its first disappointment and my brain on fire with the excitement of the work then on my hands . I arrived at the depot just as the train came in . There was but one passenger for R -- , a brisk young man , whose whole appearance differed so from the description which had been given me of Q that I at once made up my mind he could not be the man I was looking for , and was turning away disappointed , when he approached , and handed me a card on which was inscribed the single character `` ? ''