four o'clock
`` Ten thousand out of it ; not a bad speck -- and that in the eight per cent -- a thousand times better than the other side of the bargain . Eh , Moll ? '' The latter part of the sentence was addressed to the pretty animal that was reined up before the court-yard just as the speaker rose to his feet . It was four o'clock and Mr. Sharpley , taking the ribbons from the boy with all the importance of his position , rode down Main street towards the old fort , and afterwards through the different streets lined with the most imposing and stately residence so characteristic of the southern portion of the city . Have patience , reader , while we give another thought to the crumpled letter . Its pages make mention of one very dear to us . Phillip Lawson is on the eve of being the dupe of two unprincipled schemers .