six o’clock
He told me that a faint stirring was occasionally still audible within the case , but that the workmen had failed to unscrew the top , as it afforded no grip to them . The case appeared to be enormously thick , and it was possible that the faint sounds we heard represented a noisy tumult in the interior . I was very glad to do as he asked , and so become one of the privileged spectators within the contemplated enclosure . I failed to find Lord Hilton at his house , but I was told he was expected from London by the six o'clock train from Waterloo ; and as it was then about a quarter past five , I went home , had some tea , and walked up to the station to waylay him . When I returned to the common the sun was setting . Scattered groups were hurrying from the direction of Woking , and one or two persons were returning . The crowd about the pit had increased , and stood out black against the lemon yellow of the sky -- a couple of hundred people , perhaps .