one o'clock West
Deering knew himself to be equally culpable on that score , and he was even now trudging after the hypnotic vagabond with a country calaboose as their common goal . The chauffeur 's interview with Constance had evidently cheered him mightily , and he joined his voice to Hood 's in a very fair rendering of `` Ben Bolt . '' Deering swore under his breath , angry at Hood , and furious that he had so little control of a destiny that seemed urging him on to destruction . At one o'clock West Dempster lay dark and silent before them . As they crossed a bridge into the town Hood began to move cautiously . `` Remember that we give up without a struggle : there 's too much at stake to risk a bullet now , and these country lumpkins shoot first , and hand you their cards afterward . '' He dived into an alley , and emerged midway of a block where a number of barrels under a shed awning advertised a grocery .