eight o'clock
`` I do n't care a hang whether it appears or not , '' I retorted recklessly . Perhaps if I had been a little less reckless -- but it is never profitable to dwell on and brood over the mistakes of one 's past . The inspector assured me that a detective should call that night at the hotel in Great Marlow where I had volunteered to remain , and give me all particulars concerning the examination of the House by the Lock . The appointment made was for eight o'clock , by which time , allowing for obstacles and unforeseen delays , all was sure to be well over . Though the inspector had promised that the New York police should be communicated with , a great restlessness was upon me , and I resolved myself to cable to America . It was possible that the _ St. Paul _ , the ship in which Farnham had been supposed to sail , was arriving at New York that day , though the chances were , as the weather had been rough , that she would not have made one of her record trips . However , there could be no harm in wiring , and if the ship had got in all waste of time would be avoided .