five o'clock
`` Oh , as to _ that _ , I fancy the matter is arranged already ; I should have had a letter from the War Office . '' `` Yes , there is one here ; it came three hours ago . '' He turned at once to the table , and breaking the seal , perused the packet in silence , then handed it to me , as he said , -- `` Bead that ; it will save a world of explanation . '' It was dated five o'clock , and merely contained the following few words : -- His Majesty I. and R. accepts the resignation of Senior Captain Duchesne , late of the Imperial Guard ; who , from the date of the present , is no longer in the service of France . -LRB- Signed -RRB- BERTHIER , Marshal of France . A small sealed note dropped from the packet , which Duchesne took up , and broke open with eagerness . `` Ha !