ten o'clock
Carmen had been following from San Francisco , a day late , because once , in losing the trail , she had lost twenty-four hours . To-day she had arrived at Wawona in the afternoon , and learning that Mr. Nickson Hilliard had gone to the Mariposa Grove , she asked for a carriage to take her there too . `` You 'll reach the woods just about the time he 's coming away , '' she was advised . `` He ought to be back by ten o'clock at latest , maybe earlier . '' But Carmen insisted . She could not wait . Business made it necessary for her to see Mr. Hilliard as soon as possible , without wasting a moment .