ten
o'clock
`` He 's the son of a neighbor of mine , your honor , '' said Darby , with an imploring look at me not to betray him . `` His father 's a schoolmaster , -- a philomath , as one might say . '' I was about to contradict this statement bluntly , when the stranger called out to me , -- `` Mark me , young sir , you 're not in the best of company this morning , and I recommend you to part with your friend as soon as may be . And you , '' said he , turning to Darby , `` let me see you in Athlone at ten o'clock to-morrow . D' ye hear me ? '' The piper grew pale as death as he heard this command , to which he only responded by touching his hat in silence ; while the horseman , drawing his cloak around , dashed his spurs into his beast 's flanks , and was soon out of sight . Darby stood for a moment or two looking down the road , where the stranger had disappeared ; a livid hue colored his cheek , and a tremulous quivering of his under-lip gave him the appearance of one in ague .