about ten o'clock
Therefore he had drawn near -- near enough to overhear their conversation without proclaiming himself . What he had learned by this eavesdropping he counted of peculiar value . Helen Cumberly was arranging to dine with her friend at the latter 's hotel that evening . `` But I want to be home early , '' he had heard the girl say , `` so if I leave you at about ten o'clock I can walk to Palace Mansions . No ! you need not come with me ; I enjoy a lonely walk through the streets of London in the evening '' ... Gianapolis registered a mental vow that Helen 's walk should not be a lonely one . He did not flatter himself upon the possession of a pleasing exterior , but , from experience , he knew that with women he had a winning way .