ten minutes before
ten
A mystery with a downright ugly young woman would be unpleasant . '' After this fashion the note from Miss Demolines had been received , and answered at once , but the other letters remained in his pocket till he reached his office on the following morning . Sir Raffle had begged him to be there at half-past nine . This he had sworn he would not do ; but he did seat himself in his room at ten minutes before ten , finding of course the whole building untenanted at that early hour , -- that unearthly hour , as Johnny called it himself . `` I should n't wonder if he really is here this morning , '' Johnny said , as he entered the building , `` just that he may have an opportunity of jumping on me . '' But Sir Raffle was not there , and then Johnny began to abuse Sir Raffle . `` If ever I come here early to meet him again , because he says he means to be here himself , I hope I may be -- blessed . ''