six o'clock before
Henty stopped licking an envelope , and allowing it to stick to his tongue , whispered hoarsely : `` Loud pedal , Gordon ; the inspector 's in town . '' Filter colored . It must have been quite a relief to his placidly pale face ; but his eye caught an unextended balance , and he forgot the offence immediately . It was six o'clock before Evan had his cash balanced . A money parcel had come in from Toronto , another had to be sent out , and the cash-book had not been able to compare totals until after five . The inspector and the manager went over to the hotel just before supper , and afterwards to the Penton apartments , where Mrs. Penton had a spread laid for I. Castle . Three times during inspection Mr. Castle accepted the same invitation .