ten
o’clock
He preened himself somewhat and bowed to the Judge . `` I take your commands , monsieur , to obey them as heaven gives me power so to do . Shall it be tomorrow ? '' The Judge reflected a moment , then said : `` Tonight would be better , but -- '' `` I can do it better to-morrow morning , '' interposed M. Fille , `` for George Masson has a meeting here at Vilray with the avocat Prideaux at ten o'clock to sign a contract , and I can ask him to step into my office on a little affair of business . He will not guess , and I shall be armed '' -- the Judge frowned -- `` with the book of the law on such misdemeanours , and the figures of the damages , '' -- the Judge smiled -- `` and I think perhaps I can frighten him as he has never been frightened before . '' A courage and confidence had now taken possession of the Clerk in strange contrast to his timidity and childlike manner of a few minutes before . He was now as he appeared in court , clothed with an austere authority which gave him a vicarious strength and dignity .