twelve o'clock
The opening words had in their inception caused her some concern ; but after hours of thought she had come to the conclusion that to address , under the circumstance , the recipient of the letter as ` Dear Mr. Everard ' would hardly do . The only possible justification of her unconventional act was that there existed already a friendship , an intimacy of years , since childhood ; that there were already between them knowledge and understanding of each other ; that what she was doing , and about to do , was but a further step in a series of events long ago undertaken . She thought it better to send by post rather than messenger , as the latter did away with all privacy with regard to the act . The letter was as follows : ` DEAR LEONARD , -- Would it be convenient for you to meet me to-morrow , Tuesday , at half-past twelve o'clock on the top of Caester Hill ? I want to speak about a matter that may have some interest to you , and it will be more private there than in the house . Also it will be cooler in the shade on the hilltop . -- Yours sincerely , STEPHEN NORMAN . '