three o'clock
The astounding message , despatched from Neneford and signed by Parkinson , the butler , ran as follows : -- _ `` Regret to inform you that Mrs. Courtenay was found drowned in the river this morning . Can you come here ? My mistress very anxious to see you . '' _ Without a moment 's delay I sent a reply in the affirmative , and , after searching in the `` A.B.C. , '' found that I had a train at three o'clock from King 's Cross . This I took , and after an anxious journey arrived duly at the Manor , all the blinds of which were closely drawn . Parkinson , white-faced and agitated , a thin , nervous figure in a coat too large for him , had been watching my approach up the drive , and held open the door for me . `` Ah , Doctor ! ''