seven o'clock
But the corridor , as well as the room , was empty ; he was too late . He stood irresolute ; then he laughed shortly , turned , and passed back towards the fireplace . The blow had fallen , the inevitable come to pass , and nothing remained but to take the fact with as good a grace as possible . Chilcote 's telegram had summoned him to Clifford 's Inn at seven o'clock , and it was now well on towards six . He pulled out his watch -- Chilcote 's watch he realized , with a touch of grim humor as he stooped to examine the dial by the light of the fire ; then , as if the humor had verged to another feeling , he stood straight again and felt for the electric button in the wall . His fingers touched it , and simultaneously the room was lighted . The abrupt alteration from shadow to light came almost as a shock .