about nine o'clock
Her prophecy came true sooner than she expected . Moore received orders to throw the switch over to the sidetrack at the Junction , so that a work train might leave a few cars of gravel for the section-men to use the following morning . This train was due during the half-hour which he took for his supper at the tavern . He shifted the rails ready before leaving , intending to hasten back in plenty of time to connect the main line over which the No. 4 passenger would pass about nine o'clock . It was quite a usual occurrence in his routine of work , so that the matter did not cost him a second thought . Nancy noticed the tired look about his eyes as he sat at his meal , and she determined to talk to him seriously about his health at the first favorable opportunity . Out of doors the night was intensely black , and a drizzling rain added to its inclemency .