seven
o'clock
They were in a part of the park into which the guests never went , and it seemed as though she had kept a secret tryst . Not wishing to disturb them , I slipped away unobserved . Next morning Paul Clayton went up to London in order to see his mother 's solicitors , and that same afternoon , about four o'clock , Mrs. Clayton received a very urgent telegram to come at once , as her lawyers desired some instructions immediately . The message she received evidently caused her very great anxiety , for she took Medhurst , and drove in the Mercedes to Peterborough Station , where she caught the up-express at seven o'clock . She had apologised to her house-party for her absence , explained the urgency of her presence in London , and promised to be back in time for dinner on the morrow . She left the Hall at half-past six . At seven Bindo called me out of the servants ' hall and whispered -- `` Hold yourself in readiness .