nine o'clock
The whole scene passed in a few seconds , and Kenneth , thoroughly taken by surprise , stood in motionless and speechless amazement . It is said , and apparently with truth , that thought flashes through the mind more rapidly than lightning darts through the sky . Kenneth had only a few moments to think , for the policeman was applying that gentle force to his collar which was meant as a polite hint to `` come along '' quietly , else stronger force should be applied ; yet , before he had taken the first step towards the police-office , the extreme awkwardness of his position was fully impressed on him . He perceived that he should certainly be locked up for the night and brought before a magistrate next morning , and that , although his accusers would of course not appear against him , and his friends would be there to testify to his character and get him off , the consequence would be that the burglars would be able to start by the nine o'clock train and accomplish their purpose while he was in jail . It did occur to him that he could warn the authorities , but he feared that they might refuse to believe or act upon the statements of a supposed thief . The occasion was not a favourable one to correct or clear reasoning however , and as the policeman had applied a second persuasive pull to his collar , he suddenly made up his mind what he would do . Grasping the gentlemanly house-breaker by the waist , he suddenly hurled that unfortunate heels over head into the kennel , tripped up the policeman , knocked the bearded accomplice into the arms of the jeweller , the red-haired one into the broken window , and bolted !