about nine o'clock in the evening
His wishes were instantly obeyed . Murder most foul hath been committed here , By thee committed -- for thy hand is red , And on thy pallid brow I see impress 'd The mark of Cain . -- S.M. . A thrilling feeling of joy at having gained the object of his visit to Oak Hall , and obtained the means of wiping off the stain he so much dreaded from his character , was throbbing in the breast of Anthony Hurdlestone , as he reached , about nine o'clock in the evening , his nominal home . He had sold his birthright for a mere trifle , but the loss of wealth weighed lightly in his estimation against the loss of honor . On entering Frederic 's study , he found his cousin Godfrey and the ruffian Mathews awaiting his return . Godfrey had dogged his steps to Ashton , had seen him enter the miser 's hovel , and from the length of his visit guessed rightly the cause .