ten o'clock
My mother attributed my irritation and ill-humour to the brandy I had drunk on the preceding evening . As the night drew on , I was in a perfect fever of excitement ; yet not for one moment did I abandon the dreadful project . I had argued myself into the belief that it was my fate -- that I was compelled by an inexorable destiny to murder Mr. Carlos . I was to meet him at ten o'clock -- just one hour earlier than the time I had named to Adam Hows . At eight my mother went to bed , complaining of indisposition . I was glad of this , for it left me at perfect liberty to arrange my plans . I dressed myself in a waggoner 's frock and hat , in order to conceal my person from my victim , and with Bill Martin 's bowie knife in the breast of my waistcoat and a large knotted bludgeon in my hand , almost a fac-simile of one often carried by that ruffian , I sallied into the road .