nine o'clock
Presently the pair rose , and , crossing the palm-lined place , entered the casino ; while Walter , finishing his `` mazagran , '' lit a fresh cigarette , and took a turn along the front of the casino in order to watch the pigeon-shooting . The winter sun was sinking into the tideless sea in all its gold-and-orange glory as he stood leaning over the stone balustrade watching the splendid marksmanship of one of the crack shots of Europe . He waited until the contest had ended , then he descended and took the _ rapide _ back to Nice for dinner . At nine o'clock he returned to Monte Carlo , and again ascended the station lift , as was his habit , for a stroll through the rooms and a chat and drink with one or other of his many friends . He looked everywhere for the Swiss pair in whom he was so interested , but in vain . Probably they had gone over to Nice to spend the evening , he thought . But as the night wore on and they did not return by the midnight train -- the arrival of which he watched -- he strolled back to the Métropole and inquired for them at the bureau of the hotel .