twelve o'clock
It was dated , `` Heaven , August 12th , '' and the penmanship was Uncle Ebeneezer 's to the life . `` Dear Belinda , '' it read . `` I find myself at the last moment obliged to change my plans . If you will go to the orchard at exactly twelve o'clock on the night of August 13th , you will find there what you seek . Go straight ahead to the ninth row of apple trees , then seven trees to the left . A cat 's skull hangs from the lower branch , if it has n't blown down or been taken away . Dig here and you will find a tin box containing what I have always meant you to have .