a quarter to nine
The man may come back this way , and if so , he might hear the horse stamp or make some movement , and that would at once put him on his guard . '' As the officers entered the inn Mark went into the yard and told the ostler that he had met some friends , and should let his horse remain there for the night . `` It is possible that they may drive me into the town in the morning , '' he said ; `` and I shall very likely send a man down for the horse . '' At a quarter to nine he went out again , and walked to the house he had before visited ; in ten minutes he heard the sound of wheels , threw open the gate , and the men , jumping down , led the horse in . `` You may as well take him out of the trap , '' he said . `` We can not very well get that round the house , but there is no difficulty about taking the horse . '' The officers had brought a halter and a nosebag full of corn .