nearly nine o'clock
In a moment a wooden-faced gink appeared , who said he had come to relieve me . I put the revolver in my pocket and rejoined Holmes in the drawing-room , where I found him with Lord Launcelot and the others . `` Well , boys , I 've got four constables completely surrounding the castle now , -- one on each side , -- so we 'll sit down to breakfast . It 's nearly nine o'clock now . '' And Holmes moved toward the dining-room . `` All right , old top , '' said Launcelot , smiling at the detective . `` As long as George Arthur , -- the Earl , you know , -- is disabled or dead , I am the master of the house , and I 'll back you up in everything you do . ''