nine o'clock
` Then I think we may dismiss that idea , ' said the Head with visible relief . The idea of such a scandal occurring at St Austin 's had filled him with unfeigned horror . ` And now I think it would be as well to go across to your House and hear what Welch has to say about the matter . Unless Thomson returns soon -- and it is already past nine o'clock -- we shall have to send out search-parties . ' Five minutes later Welch , enjoying a sound beauty-sleep , began to be possessed of a vague idea that somebody was trying to murder him . His subsequent struggles for life partially woke him , and enabled him to see dimly that two figures were standing by his bed . ` Yes ? '