three o'clock
She would be sure to appear prior to the last summons , and as we were good friends , she would listen to my questions and give me the answer I needed for the carrying out of Sinclair 's wishes . But before her light footfall was heard descending I was lured from my plans by an unexpected series of events . Three men came down , one after the other , followed by Mr. Armstrong , looking even more grave and ponderous than usual . Two of them were the physicians who had been called in the night , and whom I myself had seen depart somewhere near three o'clock . The third I did not know , but he looked like a doctor also . Why were they here again so early ? Had anything new come to light ?