nearly twelve o'clock
And Paul Douglass threw himself into a chair , and in an agitated , nearly incoherent manner , related the circumstances that led to the arrest of Thurston Willcoxen for the murder of Marian Mayfield . When he had concluded the strange story , Cloudy started up , took his hat , and was about to leave the room , `` Where are you going , Cloudy ? '' `` To the stables to saddle my horse , to ride to Leonardtown this night ! '' `` It is nearly twelve o'clock . '' `` I know it , but by hard riding I can reach Leonardtown by morning , and be with Thurston as soon as the prison doors are opened . And I will ask you , Paul , to be kind enough to forward my trunks from the tavern at Benedict to Leonardtown , where I shall remain to be near Thurston as long as he needs my services . '' `` God bless you , Cloudy !