nine o'clock
`` Drop it ! '' said common sense ; `` go on ! '' said instinct ... and Teddy went on . It was nearing nine o'clock when Bullard 's cab drew up at the magnificent entrance to Manchester House in New Broad Street , at that hour a well-nigh deserted thoroughfare . As Teddy was driven past he saw Bullard run up the steps . Twenty yards further on he got out , settled with his man , and strolled back . Entering the huge headquarters of several hundred mining and finance companies , and noting that the lift was closed for the night , he proceeded to search the oaken boards which formed a sort of directory of the tenants inscribed in gilt lettering .