eight o'clock
Mr. Carter whistled softly to himself as he went along , with the basket on his arm . The slimy green stuff and muddy water dripped from the bottom of the basket as he carried it . `` I was still at a loss to understand the reason of his high spirits ; I was still at a loss to comprehend why he attached so much importance to the finding of the dead man 's clothes . `` It was past eight o'clock when we three men -- the detecting the Winchester constable , and myself -- entered our sitting-room at the George Hotel . The principal table was laid for dinner ; and the waiter , our friend of the previous evening , was hovering about , eager to receive us . But Mr. Carter sent the waiter about his business . '' ` I 've got a little matter to settle with this gentleman , ' he said , indicating the Winchester constable with a backward jerk of his thumb ; ` I 'll ring when I want dinner . '