about five in the afternoon
Here was a being of solid , nay , gigantic proportions , as the creakings and huge footprints fully attested . I knew , though , that I would assuredly have the best of Dr. Matthai should he -LRB- or she -RRB- of the massive feet see fit to appear on the coming night . `` After carefully sweeping up the floor I shut up the house , and resolved to keep my own counsel . I breakfasted in Washington that morning , having , for obvious reasons , given our servant a holiday , and returned to A -- about five in the afternoon ; dining later with Doctor Matthai , who met me at the station and very hospitably insisted upon my going home with him . Shortly after dinner I bade my host and his sister good-evening and went over to my own deserted dwelling . An hour or so after , Doctor Matthai came in . Both of us were armed , and I thought it singular that the doctor , who appeared to treat the whole affair as a joke , should have taken that precaution .