one in the afternoon
It was generally supposed at the time of his extradition that he had communicated with the Russian Embassy , with a view to giving himself up -- a foolish proceeding on his part , it would seem , since his whereabouts , indeed even his identity as the forger , had not been suspected . He _ had _ communicated with the Russian Embassy , it is true , but for quite a different purpose , as Martin Hewitt well understood at the time . What that purpose was is now for the first time published . * * * * * The time was half-past one in the afternoon , and Hewitt sat in his inner office examining and comparing the handwriting of two letters by the aid of a large lens . He put down the lens and glanced at the clock on the mantel-piece with a premonition of lunch ; and as he did so his clerk quietly entered the room with one of those printed slips which were kept for the announcement of unknown visitors . It was filled up in a hasty and almost illegible hand , thus : Name of visitor : _ F. Graham Dixon _ . Address : _ Chancery Lane _ .