eight o'clock
Then came Twenty-third Street , and here Hal alighted . It had begun to snow again , and the youth was compelled to pull his coat-collar well up around his ears , and his cap far down over his eyes , to protect himself from the elements . He walked down East Twenty-third Street slowly , scanning the buildings closely as he passed . It was now about half-past eight o'clock , and he knew it would probably be some time before Hardwick would make his appearance . Having walked several blocks , Hal retraced his steps , and then took up a position in a sheltering door-way . He had hardly done so before a well-known form passed by . `` Dick Ferris ! ''