nine o'clock
When at last he emerged upon the turnpike he lost the track of the bicycle , but still he went on , all the way to Broadstone ; a girl might be lying senseless by the side of the road , even on the pike , which at this time was not much frequented . Thus assuring himself that Olive had reached Broadstone in safety , or at least had not fallen by the way , he turned and drove back to town upon the pike , passing his own toll-gate , where the bar was always up after dark . He had promised to return the horse that night , and , as he had promised , he intended to do it . It was after nine o'clock when , returning from the livery-stable , he reached the Port house , and saw Maria sitting in the open doorway . She instantly ran out to meet him , asking him somewhat sharply why he had disappointed them . She had kept the supper waiting ever so long . He went in to see her father , who was sitting up for him , and she busied herself in getting him a fresh supper .