five o'clock
She was a woman of thirty , dark , with slow and silent movements ; and her features bore the look of indifference of those who live much within themselves . She exchanged a few words with M. Destange and left the room without so much as glancing at Shears . The afternoon dragged on monotonously . At five o'clock , M. Destange stated that he was going out . Shears remained alone in the circular gallery that ran round the library , half-way between floor and ceiling . It was growing dark and he was preparing to leave , in his turn , when he heard a creaking sound and , at the same time , felt that there was some one in the room . Minute followed slowly upon minute .