about eight o'clock
The run to which No. 999 had been apportioned covered the Muddy Creek branch of the Great Northern to Riverton . The train was an accommodation and ran sixty miles . It was to leave Stanley Junction at 9:15 A. M. , arrive at terminus at about noon , and start back for the Junction at two o'clock . Ralph left the house about eight o'clock , after arranging to meet his fireman at the roundhouse . He went to the hotel to see Archie Graham , and found that youthful genius in his room figuring out some mathematical problem at a table . `` Well , how are you this morning ? '' inquired Ralph cheerily .