11:30
Mr. Austin owned extensive farming interests near Dexter , and his handsome home was less than two miles from the heart of the town . Crosby anticipated no trouble in driving to the house and back in time to catch the afternoon train for Chicago . It was necessary for Mrs. Delancy to sign certain papers , and he was confident the transaction could not occupy more than half an hour 's time . At 11:30 Crosby stepped from the coach to the station platform in Dexter , looked inquiringly about , and then asked a perspiring man with a star on his suspender-strap where he could hire a horse and buggy . The officer directed him to a `` feed-yard and stable , '' but observed that there was a `` funeral in town an ' he 'd be lucky if he got a rig , as all of Smith 's horses were out . '' Application at the stable brought the first frown to Crosby 's brow . He could not rent a `` rig '' until after the funeral , and that would make it too late for him to catch the four o'clock train for Chicago .