a
quarter to ten at night
`` Mother and I had been staying at the White Hart at Salisbury while Sir Hugh had been inspecting some troops . Captain Bellairs had been with us , as usual , but had been sent up to London by my stepfather . That same day I returned to London alone on my way to a visit up in Yorkshire , and arrived at Hill Street about seven o'clock . At a quarter to ten at night I received an urgent note from Captain Bellairs , brought by a messenger , and written in a shaky hand , asking me to call at once at his chambers in Half Moon Street . He explained that he had been taken suddenly ill , and that he wished to see me upon a most important and private matter . He asked me to go to him , as it was most urgent . Mother and I had been to his chambers to tea several times before ; therefore , realising the urgency of his message , I found a taxi and went at once to him . ''