a quarter to three in the morning
And they had but one thought -- to get out of that house where , say what you would , the atmosphere was one of agonizing anxiety . Two journalists stayed behind , however ; and the colonel joined them , after attending to Edith and handing her over to her maids . The three of them , together with the detectives , made a search that did not lead to the discovery of anything of the least interest . Then the colonel sent for some champagne ; and the result was that it was not until a late hour -- to be exact , a quarter to three in the morning -- that the journalists took their leave , the colonel retired to his quarters , and the detectives withdrew to the room which had been set aside for them on the ground-floor . They took the watch by turns , a watch consisting , in the first place , in keeping awake and , next , in looking round the garden and visiting the gallery at intervals . These orders were scrupulously carried out , except between five and seven in the morning , when sleep gained the mastery and the men ceased to go their rounds . But it was broad daylight out of doors .