nine o'clock
`` I do n't want to suppose anything . I simply declare that some one came there last night ... '' `` By which way ? The only tracks of a person coming towards the manor are those of M. de Gorne . '' `` That 's because the other person arrived before the snowfall , that is to say , before nine o'clock . '' `` Then he must have hidden in a corner of the living-room and waited for the return of M. de Gorne , who came after the snow ? '' `` Just so . As soon as Mathias came in , the man went for him .