five
o’clock
The day went by with cruel alternations of hope and fear ; all three ran to the window at the least sound , and gave way to every sort of conjecture . While the family were thus grieving , Philippe was quietly getting matters in order at his office . He had the audacity to give in his accounts with a statement that , fearing some accident , he had retained eleven hundred francs at his own house for safe keeping . The scoundrel left the office at five o'clock , taking five hundred francs more from the desk , and coolly went to a gambling-house , which he had not entered since his connection with the paper , for he knew very well that a cashier must not be seen to frequent such a place . The fellow was not wanting in acumen . His past conduct proved that he derived more from his grandfather Rouget than from his virtuous sire , Bridau . Perhaps he might have made a good general ; but in private life , he was one of those utter scoundrels who shelter their schemes and their evil actions behind a screen of strict legality , and the privacy of the family roof .