nearly two o'clock
None of the players were aware of what had happened ; all were too deeply engrossed . Without attempting to restore my companion to consciousness -- for , in the face of what I had now learned practically beyond doubt to be a fact , I had no wish to revive her -- I left her lying in her chair , stepped noiselessly along behind the mass of plants which occupied one side of the room , emerged further away , and presently took a vacant seat at a _ chemin-de-fer _ table . I glanced at my watch . It was nearly two o'clock . Thinking over what had just happened , and wondering what my next move had better be , and what Jack and Preston intended doing , I stared carelessly about the room . At all the tables play was still in progress . At some complete silence prevailed .