nine o'clock
` Humph ! it 's not a bad idea , ' said Tinkler , scratching his well-shaven chin . ` Strikes me as I 'll go and look up Mother Jael . ' The result of an interview with that iniquitous old beldame proved that Jentham had certainly been the guest of the gipsies on Sunday evening but had returned to Beorminster shortly after nine o'clock . He had stated that he was going back to The Derby Winner , and as it was his custom to come and go when he pleased , the Romany had not taken much notice of his departure . A vagrant like Jentham was quite independent of time . ` He was one of your lot , I suppose ? '