three in the morning
`` When will we get there ? '' `` In ten minutes . '' A telegram was prepared and sent back to Snapwood as soon as Leadington was reached . The train was held for five minutes and it was learned that nobody had been seen at the station there at three in the morning , as the night operator and station master were away , there being no passengers to get on the train bound West . Maurice Vane was much disturbed and did not know what to do . `` To go back and look for them at Snapwood may be a mere waste of time , '' said he . `` On the other hand , I do n't feel much like going on while the shares are out of my possession . ''