eight o'clock
The reply came from the father , a heart-broken admission of the justice of Drake 's action , and a prayer that , for the sake of those of the family who still lived , Gorley 's crime should be as far as possible kept secret . Drake gave the promise . So far he had kept it , he realised , as he tossed aside the last copy of the _ Meteor _ . At eight o'clock Sidney Mallinson arrived . He saw Drake at the top of the flight of steps in the vestibule , and hesitated , perceiving that he was alone . ` Has n't Conway come ? ' he asked .