about five o'clock
He complied with her request , almost with alacrity , and returned to M. Formery and Guerchard . He found them at a standstill , waiting for reports from the detectives who were hunting outside the house for information about the movements of the burglars with the stolen booty , and apparently finding none . The police were also hunting for the stolen motor-cars , not only in Paris and its environs , but also all along the road between Paris and Charmerace . At about five o'clock Guerchard grew tired of the inaction , and went out himself to assist his subordinates , leaving M. Formery in charge of the house itself . He promised to be back by half-past seven , to let the examining magistrate , who had an engagement for the evening , get away . The Duke spent his time between the drawing-room , where M. Formery entertained him with anecdotes of his professional skill , and the boudoir , where Germaine was entertaining envious young friends who came to see her wedding presents . The friends of Germaine were always a little ill at ease in the society of the Duke , belonging as they did to that wealthy middle class which has made France what she is .