about five o'clock
What would Simmonds have done in his stead ? A hundred strange doubts throbbed in her brain , but they were jumbled in confusion before that more intimate and insistent question -- how would Fitzroy interpret her eagerness to retain him in her service ? Meanwhile , the Swedish seer 's theory of Martian speech and thought acting in unity was making itself at home on the pavement in front of the hotel . Medenham learnt from the hall-porter that a motor-car had reached Bristol from London about five o'clock . The driver , who was alone , had asked for Miss Vanrenen , and was told that she was expected but had not yet arrived , whereupon he went off , saying that he would call after dinner . `` Another shuffer kem a bit later an ' axed the same thing , '' went on the man , `` but he did n't have no car , an ' he left no word about callin ' again . '' `` Excellent ! ''