a quarter past eight
`` I have got nothing to say , sir , '' Reuben answered , `` except that whoever the boy was , it was n't me , and that I know nothing about it . '' `` Well , Reuben , it will be easy for you to clear yourself , by saying where you were at the time . `` What o'clock was it , Robert , that you saw the boy ? '' `` It was just a quarter past eight , squire . The quarter struck just as I opened the gate . '' `` Were you out or at home at that hour , Reuben ? '' `` I was out , sir .