nearly eleven o'clock at night
Greenacre 's came first . He was the victim , he declared , of such ill luck as rarely befell a man . Arriving at Euston by the Irish mail , and hastening to get a cab , whom should he encounter on the very platform but a base-minded ruffian who nursed a spite against him ; a low fellow who had taken advantage of his good nature , and who -- in short , a man from whom it was impossible to escape , for several good reasons , until they had spent some hours together . He got off a telegram to Lord Polperro , and could do no more till nearly eleven o'clock at night . Arriving headlong at Lowndes Mansions , he learnt with disgust what had gone on there in his absence . And now , what defence had Gammon to offer ? What was his game ?