ten o'clock in the morning
If he did he would know at a glance if she had received his letter . But No. 1 offered him no explanations . It stood as usual , large and prim and precise , the very acme of solid , sober wealth and assertive moral rectitude . He was strongly tempted to call and ask for Miss Brandt , but it was only ten o'clock in the morning , and the house looked so truly an embodiment in stucco of Mrs. Grundy and Jeremiah Pixley , that he forbore and went on his melancholy way . First , to his rooms again , to see if by chance the letter had come in his absence . Then , as it had not , to Lady Elspeth Gordon 's for old Hamish 's latest news , which , in a letter from his wife , was satisfactory as far as it went , but pointed to a protracted stay . And then , with stern resolution , up to Baker Street and away by train to Chesham , for a long day 's tramp through the Buckingham hills and dales , by Chenies to Chorley Wood and Rickmansworth , so to weary the body that the wearier brain should get some rest that night .