nearly eleven o'clock
He half regretted his promise to Israel Kensky , which prevented him discovering the house of entertainment and securing a box or a stall from whence he could feast his eyes upon her face . His vigil was painfully monotonous . It was the most uninteresting job he had ever undertaken . Most of the habitués of the club had evidently come at an early hour , for he saw nobody come in and nobody go out until nearly eleven o'clock . It began to rain a fine , thin drizzle , which penetrated every crevice , which insinuated itself down his neck , though his collar was upturned ; and then , on top of this , came a gusty easterly wind , which chilled him to the marrow . Keeping in the shadow of the houses opposite , he maintained , however , a careful scrutiny , thereby earning the suspicion of a policeman , who passed him twice on his beat before he stopped to ask if he were looking for somebody . As midnight chimed from a neighbouring church the door of the club opened and its members came out .