four
o’clock
Colleville -LSB- after consulting his colleagues -RSB- . `` Come , Fleury , you 're a good fellow , but do n't talk politics here ; you do n't know what harm you may do us . '' Fleury -LSB- dryly -RSB- . `` Well , adieu , gentlemen ; I have my work to do by four o'clock . '' While this idle talk had been going on , des Lupeaulx was closeted in his office with du Bruel , where , a little later , Dutocq joined them . Des Lupeaulx had heard from his valet of La Billardiere 's death , and wishing to please the two ministers , he wanted an obituary article to appear in the evening papers . `` Good morning , my dear du Bruel , '' said the semi-minister to the head-clerk as he entered , and not inviting him to sit down .