nine o'clock
For all of his curiosity , he seemed very timid . The day passed , and night came . Still Professor Scotch had received no answers to his telegrams . Shortly after nine o'clock that evening , the report spread rapidly that Robert Dawson , the Eastern banker , was dead . Immediately there was a swift and silent stirring of men -- a significant movement . `` Thot manes throuble ! '' was Barney Mulloy 's mental exclamation .