nine
o'clock
I skipped luncheon and I 've been too busy to think of dinner . '' He walked back to his taxicab and returned to the hotel where , hope springing eternal in his breast , he called Prospect 3249 again and discovered that the missing Herman Joost had returned to the bosom of his family . To him the frantic Peck delivered the message of B. Cohn , whereupon the cautious Herman Joost replied that he would confirm the authenticity of the message by telephoning to Mr. Cohn at Mr. Simon 's home in Mill Valley . If Mr. B. Cohn or Cohen confirmed Mr. Kek 's story he , the said Herman Joost , would be at the store sometime before nine o'clock , and if Mr. Kek cared to , he might await him there . Mr. Kek said he would be delighted to wait for him there . At nine-fifteen Herman Joost appeared on the scene . On his way down the street he had taken the precaution to pick up a policeman and bring him along with him .