nine o'clock at
night
Martin turned languidly and smiled at him . `` I 'll take that , Charley , '' he replied . Johnny Nelson was always late , and on this occasion he was later than usual . He was to have joined Hopalong and Red , if Red had arrived , at Dent 's at noon the day before , and now it was after nine o'clock at night as he rode through San Felippe without pausing and struck east for the canyon . The dropping trail down the canyon was serious enough in broad daylight , but at night to attempt its passage was foolhardy , unless one knew every turn and slant by heart , which Johnny did not . He was thirty-three hours late now , and he was determined to make up what he could in the next three . When Johnny left Hopalong at Dent 's he had given his word to be back on time and not to keep his companions waiting , for Red might be on time and he would chafe if he were delayed .