half past nine
`` I left the Hare and Hounds at ten , and came straight home . '' `` Who was there with you ? '' `` The usual crowd -- Hobbs , and Siddle , and Bob Smith , and a commercial traveler . Siddle went at half past nine , but he generally does . '' `` You met no one on the road ? '' `` No . '' The monosyllable seemed to lack Elkin 's usual confidence .