four
o'clock
At 11:30 Crosby stepped from the coach to the station platform in Dexter , looked inquiringly about , and then asked a perspiring man with a star on his suspender-strap where he could hire a horse and buggy . The officer directed him to a `` feed-yard and stable , '' but observed that there was a `` funeral in town an ' he 'd be lucky if he got a rig , as all of Smith 's horses were out . '' Application at the stable brought the first frown to Crosby 's brow . He could not rent a `` rig '' until after the funeral , and that would make it too late for him to catch the four o'clock train for Chicago . To make the story short , twelve o'clock saw him trudging along the dusty road covering the two miles between town and Austin 's place , and he was walking with the rapidity of one who has no love for the beautiful . The early spring air was invigorating , and it did not take him long to reduce the distance . Austin 's house stood on a hill , far back from the highway , and overlooking the entire country-side .