five
o'clock
Young Jacob was out for his afternoon ride , which that day had taken him in the direction of the good doctor 's house . And when he had reached the house , he found the doctor likewise mounted for a ride . The doctor was going up to Bond Street -- the Dolphs ' quarter was growing fashionable already -- to look at a house near Broadway that he had some thoughts of buying , for he was to be married the coming winter . So they had ridden back together , and after a long examination of the house , young Jacob had ridden off for a gallop through the country lanes ; and it was five o'clock , and dinner was on the table , when he came to his father 's house and learned from tearful Aline that his father was missing . The horse was at the stable door when young Jacob mounted him once more and galloped off to Bond Street , where he found the doctor just ready to turn down the Bowery ; and they joined forces and hurried back , and down Broadway , inquiring of the people who sat on their front stoops -- it was a late spring evening , warm and fair -- if they had seen old Mr. Dolph that day . Many had seen him as he went down ; but no one could remember that the old gentleman had come back over his accustomed path . At St. Paul 's , the sexton thought that Mr. Dolph had prolonged his walk down the street .