quarter past nine
Ferris did not appear , but this was not strange , as he had not been down early since his discharge from Sumner , Allen & Co. 's establishment . Hal was the first to appear at the office in Wall Street . He opened up as usual , and after cleaning and dusting , began copying from the point at which he had left off on the previous day . At quarter past nine Hardwick hurried in . The book-keeper 's face was very red , but whether from the cold or from drink it was hard to determine . Mr. Allen soon followed Hardwick , and the two entered into a low and earnest conversation in the rear . Hal did not dare to approach them , but he strained his ears to their utmost , and caught the words `` he must be watched , '' and `` the detectives will learn nothing , '' and these set him to thinking deeply .