Nine o'clock
Downstairs in the library Mrs. Brewster paused on her entrance by the side of a piece of carved Venetian furniture and laying her coronation scarf on it , she examined a white envelope -- the red seal was intact . At the sound of approaching footsteps she raised a trap door in the piece of furniture and only her keen ears caught the faint thud of the envelope as it dropped inside , then with a happy , tender smile she turned to meet Colonel McIntyre . Colonel McIntyre tramped the deserted dining room in exasperation . Nine o'clock and the twins had not come to breakfast , nor was there any evidence that Mrs. Brewster intended taking that meal downstairs . `` Will you wait any longer , sir ? '' inquired Grimes , who hovered solicitously in the background . `` I 'm afraid , sir , your eggs will be over-done . ''