three o’clock
``` Why . How do you mean ? ' said I. `` He then proceeded to inform me , that by a singularly fortunate chance , there took place that day an auction of ` cast horses , ' as they are termed , which had been used in the horse police force ; and that from long riding , and training to stand fire , nothing could be more suitable than one of these ; being both easy to ride , and not given to start at noise . `` I could have almost hugged the old fellow for his happy suggestion , and waited with impatience for three o'clock to come , when we repaired together to Essex-bridge , at that time the place selected for these sales . `` I was at first a little shocked at the look of the animals drawn up ; they were most miserably thin -- most of them swelled in the legs -- few without sore backs -- and not one eye , on an average , in every three ; but still they were all high steppers , and carried a great tail . ` There 's your affaire , ' said the old Frenchman , as a long-legged fiddle-headed beast was led out ; turning out his forelegs so as to endanger the man who walked beside him . ``` Yes , there 's blood for you , said Charley Dycer , seeing my eye fixed on the wretched beast ; ` equal to fifteen stone with any foxhounds ; safe in all his paces , and warranted sound ; except , ' added he , in a whisper , ` a slight spavin in both hind legs , ring gone , and a little touched in the wind . '