About seven o'clock in the evening
`` Thank you for the warning , '' I answered , `` but I shall be more wary in future . '' The rest of the day I spent in prowling about the city , in asking questions here and there , and in watching sharply for either Pillot or my cousin , but the search proved fruitless , and towards the end of the afternoon I returned to my rooms , jaded and weary . The Fight on the Staircase . About seven o'clock in the evening John Humphreys , who was just off duty , joined me , and shortly afterwards Raoul arrived . `` No news ? '' cried the latter , noticing my gloomy looks . `` Well , there is no need to despair .