a quarter to five
I arose and admitted Vincenzo , who entered bearing a tray of steaming coffee . `` Is it already so late ? '' I asked him . `` It wants a quarter to five , '' replied Vincenzo -- then looking at me in some surprise , he added , `` Will not the eccellenza change his evening-dress ? '' I nodded in the affirmative -- and while I drank my coffee my valet set out a suit of rough tweed , such as I was accustomed to wear every day . He then left me , and I quickly changed my attire , and while I did so I considered carefully the position of affairs . Neither the Marquis D'Avencourt nor Captain Freccia had ever known me personally when I was Fabio Romani -- nor was it at all probable that the two tavern companions of Ferrari had ever seen me .