eight o'clock
He reached the little front porch just in time to welcome the batch of professional gentlemen who came talking and laughing up the path together . `` Doctor Burns has been detained , but I 'm sure he 'll be here soon , '' Chester explained , shaking hands , and discovering for himself which was the famous Scottish surgeon by the `` rugged commonsense '' look of the man , quite as R. P. Burns had characterized him . Seven-thirty -- no Red Pepper . Seven-forty-five -- eight o'clock -- still no sign of him ; harder to be explained , no sign from him . Why did n't he telephone or send a telegram or a messenger ? Waiting longer would not do ; Cynthia , in the kitchen , was becoming unnervingly agitated . The dinner was served .