noon
Agitation delayed his recovery ; he was suffering as he had never suffered in his life , when there came a letter from London , signed with the name of Geldershaw , repeating in formal terms the offer made to him by Leonard Chadwick , and requesting his immediate acceptance or refusal . This plucked him out of his despondent state , and spurred him to action . With the help of his landlady he dressed himself , and , having concealed his bandaged arm as well as possible , drove in a cab to Miss Bowes ' dwelling . The hour being before noon , he was almost sure to find Mary at home , and alone . Trembling with bodily weakness and the conflict of emotions , he rang the door bell . To his consternation there appeared Mary 's father . ` Hallo !