nine o’clock
This he unpacked with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him , and presently , to my very great astonishment , a quite epicurean little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble lodging-house mahogany . There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock , a pheasant , a _ pâté de foie gras _ pie with a group of ancient and cobwebby bottles . Having laid out all these luxuries , my two visitors vanished away , like the genii of the Arabian Nights , with no explanation save that the things had been paid for and were ordered to this address . Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the room . His features were gravely set , but there was a light in his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his conclusions . `` They have laid the supper , then , '' he said , rubbing his hands . `` You seem to expect company .