eight o'clock
He had abandoned the hope of explaining Greenacre 's mysterious circumstances , and the attempt to decide whether his stories were worthy of belief or not . Half suspecting that he might be the victim of a hoax he telegraphed an acceptance , and thought no more of the matter until evening approached . Part of his day was spent in helping a distracted shopkeeper on the verge of failure to obtain indulgence from certain of his creditors he also secured a place as errand boy for the son of a poor woman with whom he had lodged until her house was burnt down one Bank Holiday ; and he made a trip to Hammersmith to give evidence at the police-court for a friend charged with assaulting a policeman . Just before eight o'clock , after a hasty wash and brush up at a public lavatory , he presented himself at the great hotel , where , from a lounge in the smoking-room , Greenacre rose to welcome him . Greenacre indubitably , but much better dressed than Gammon had ever seen him , and with an air of lively graciousness which was very impressive . The strange fellow offered not a word of explanation , but chatted as though their meeting in such places as this were an everyday occurrence . `` I have something interesting to tell you , '' he observed , when they were seated in the brilliant dining-room , with olives , sardines , and the like to toy with before the serious commencement of their meal .