nearly two hours after midday
When Malcolm presented himself at the lodgings , it was to discover that the old Jew had gone out , and had left no message as to the time he would return . Since Malcolm was anxious to meet this important personage , he did not leave his letter , but went into the City to lunch with an old college chum . In the afternoon he decided to make his call , and only remembered , as he was walking up the Strand , that he had intended satisfying his curiosity as to that `` other neighbour '' of his , the Grand Duke Yaroslav . There was a little crowd about Charing Cross Station , though it was nearly two hours after midday when the Yaroslavs were due ; and he was to discover , on inquiry of a policeman , that the cause of this public curiosity had been the arrival of two royal carriages . `` Some Russian prince or other , '' said the obliging bobby . `` The boat was late , and -- here they come ! '' Malcolm was standing on the side-walk in the courtyard of Charing Cross Station when the two open landaus drove out through the archway .