seven o'clock
As nearly as he could determine by the sense of touch , it was seven o'clock . Bessie Wallingham would be wondering by this time why he had broken an engagement with her for the second time that day . `` There is one thing more to do , '' he said . `` It is seven o'clock ; I do n't know how much longer we shall be able to breathe easily , and I am going to write a note which will explain matters to the persons who find us -- if we should not happen to be able to tell them . '' Laboriously he penciled on the back of an old envelope the explanation of their presence there , making a complete and careful charge against Alcatrante . He laid the message on the floor . On second thought , he picked it up again and put it in his pocket , for if by any chance they should be rescued , he might forget it .