nine o'clock
Annixter , who never could sleep on the train , dozed and tossed and fretted for hours , consulting his watch and time-table whenever there was a stop ; twice he rose to get a drink of ice water , and between whiles was forever sitting up in the narrow berth , stretching himself and yawning , murmuring with uncertain relevance : `` Oh , Lord ! Oh-h-h LORD ! '' There were some dozen other passengers in the car -- a lady with three children , a group of school-teachers , a couple of drummers , a stout gentleman with whiskers , and a well-dressed young man in a plaid travelling cap , whom Annixter had observed before supper time reading Daudet 's `` Tartarin '' in the French . But by nine o'clock , all these people were in their berths . Occasionally , above the rhythmic rumble of the wheels , Annixter could hear one of the lady 's children fidgeting and complaining . The stout gentleman snored monotonously in two notes , one a rasping bass , the other a prolonged treble . At intervals , a brakeman or the passenger conductor pushed down the aisle , between the curtains , his red and white lamp over his arm .