nearly nine o'clock
I just heard of it , as I have been away . '' The party walked over to Squire Paget 's office and here the necessary papers were made out and signed . The squire wished to put off the question of bail until more news should come in , but he had once fixed the amount , and Mr. Carrington would not let him go back on his word . It was nearly nine o'clock when Ralph returned home and told his mother of all that had happened . A dozen men were out hunting for the robbers , but no news concerning them had yet come in . `` It was kind of Mr. Carrington to go your bail , '' said Mrs. Nelson . `` It was , indeed , mother .