three o'clock in the afternoon
The Piccadilly branch of the London and Western Counties Bank occupies commodious premises , but Frank had never been granted the use of a private office . His big desk was in a corner remote from the counter , surrounded on three sides by a screen which was half glass and half teak paneling . From where he sat he could secure a view of the counter , a necessary provision , since he was occasionally called upon to identify the bearers of checks . He returned a little before three o'clock in the afternoon , and Mr. Brandon , the manager , came hurriedly from his little sanctum at the rear of the premises and beckoned Frank into his office . `` You 've taken an awful long time for lunch , '' he complained . `` I 'm sorry , '' said Frank . `` I met Miss Nuttall , and the time flew . ''