nearly eleven o’clock
Holmes declares that he overheard me caution him against the great danger of taking more than two drops of castor oil , while I recommended strychnine in large doses as a sedative . However that may be , I was certainly relieved when our cab pulled up with a jerk and the coachman sprang down to open the door . `` This , Miss Morstan , is Pondicherry Lodge , '' said Mr. Thaddeus Sholto , as he handed her out . The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge It was nearly eleven o'clock when we reached this final stage of our night 's adventures . We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us , and the night was fairly fine . A warm wind blew from the westward , and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky , with half a moon peeping occasionally through the rifts . It was clear enough to see for some distance , but Thaddeus Sholto took down one of the side-lamps from the carriage to give us a better light upon our way .