nine at night
`` Do n't say a word , '' he whispered excitedly . `` I 'm just off ! '' `` Off where ? '' I gasped , for he had changed into full mountaineering garb , and there was his greased face beaming in the moonlight , and the blue spectacles twinkling about his hat-band , at half-past nine at night . `` Up the Matterhorn ! '' `` At this time of night ? '' `` It is a bit late , and that 's why I want it kept quiet .