nine
o'clock
Thereupon Mr. Daney sauntered over to the cigar stand in the hotel , loaded his cigar case and went down to his office , where he sat until midnight , smoking and thinking . The sole result of his cogitations , however , he summed up in a remark he directed at the cuspidor just before he went home : `` Well , there 's blood on the moon and hell will pop in the morning . '' For the small part he had played in bringing Nan Brent back to Port Agnew , the general manager fully expected to be dismissed from the McKaye service within thirty seconds after old Hector should reach the mill office ; hence with the heroism born of twelve hours of preparation he was at his desk at eight o'clock next morning . At nine o'clock The Laird came in and Mr. Daney saw by his face instantly that old Hector knew . The general manager rose at his desk and bowed with great dignity . `` Moritori salutamus , sir , '' he announced gravely . `` What the devil are you talking about , Daney ? ''