ten P.M.
A inquest is n't zactly the place for fun . '' He then proceeded to swear and interrogate the four new witnesses . They took the oath decorously , kissing the book in the politest , most gentlemanly manner . Their testimony was to the effect that young Van Quintem passed the night of the murder , from ten P.M. till four A.M. , at Brown 's , and was not absent one minute . They were able to corroborate the fact , by a reference to pocket memorandum books , in which entries such as `` Van Q. , debit $ 50 , '' or `` Van Q. , credit $ 100 , '' appeared at intervals . As to the general character of the house , upon which several members of the jury asked questions , they testified that it was a species of club house , where a few gentlemen of excellent reputation occasionally met for the purposes of innocent social intercourse . Games of chance were sometimes played at Brown 's , to while away an hour ; and betting was now and then done , in a strictly honorable and legitimate way .