nine o'clock
`` Send out and get some brandy , '' said Nidderdale with rapid impetuosity . But the club was so reduced in circumstances that he was obliged to take silver out of his pocket before he could get even such humble comfort as he now demanded . Then Lord Grasslough told the whole story as far as it was known . Herr Vossner had not been seen since nine o'clock on the preceding evening . The head waiter had known for some weeks that heavy bills were due . It was supposed that three or four thousand pounds were owing to tradesmen , who now professed that the credit had been given , not to Herr Vossner but to the club . And the numerous acceptances for large sums which the accommodating purveyor held from many of the members had all been sold to Mr. Flatfleece .