nine o'clock
Good-bye . '' There was a rattle as of the hanging up of the receiver , a short sharp click and a ring , and I realised that he had gone . The next morning in response to a telegraphic summons my stenographer arrived and when I explained the situation to him he was incredulous , but orders were orders and he remained . I could see , however , that as nine o'clock approached he grew visibly nervous , which indicated that he half believed me anyhow , and when at nine to the second the sharp ring of the ` phone fell upon our ears he jumped as if he had been shot . `` Hello , '' said I again . `` That you , Baron ? '' `` The same , '' the voice replied .