nine o'clock
He knew that it had been left uncertain whether Mr. Samuel would return to sleep at home between the two days of the county races , but he did not expect Mr. Ward to be out ; and had then observed that his bed had not been slept in , and that the passage window outside his room was partly open . He had then thought it best to go into Stoneborough to inform the family . Rebecca Giles , the housekeeper , an elderly woman , crying violently , repeated the evidence as to the discovery of the body . The last time she had seen her master alive , was when she had carried in his supper at nine o'clock , when he had desired her to send Mr. Ward to him ; and had seemed much vexed to hear that the young man had not returned from rifle practice , little thinking , poor old gentleman ! -- but here the housekeeper was recalled to her subject . The window was then open , as it was a sultry night , but the blind down . Her master was a good deal crippled by gout , and could not at that time move actively nor write , but could dress himself , and close a window .