about one o'clock
He was going straight to the post office when the way was barred by Furneaux . The bullet which missed the latter actually pierced the zinc plate of the letter-box , and scored a furrow , inches long , in an oak counter which it struck laterally . The village did not recover its poise for hours . Grant and Hart , to whom Bates brought the news about one o'clock , rose from an untasted luncheon and hurried to the high-street . Knots of people stared at Grant , some sheepishly , others with frank relief , because all who knew him liked him . One man , a retired ironmonger and an impulsive fellow , came forward and wrung his hand heartily . A few prominent residents followed suit .