six o’clock
On arrival in London he found a telegram lying upon his table among some letters . It was signed `` Shaw , '' and urged him to meet him `` at the usual place '' at seven o'clock in the evening . `` I know you are away , but I 'll look in each night at seven , '' it concluded . It was just six o'clock , therefore Benton washed and changed , and just before seven o'clock entered a little cafe off Wardour Street , patronized mostly by foreigners . At one of the tables , sitting alone , was a wiry-looking , middle-aged man -- Mr. Howell , The Sparrow 's friend . `` Well ? '' asked Howell , when a few minutes later they were walking along Wardour Street together .