four o'clock
`` The deuce he will ! '' replied the Skeleton . Then taking advantage of a conversation which had commenced between Barbillon and Pique-Vinaigre , he leaned towards Nicholas , and said , whisperingly , `` You see , we have not an instant to lose . After four o'clock to-day all chance of serving him out is over ; it is now nearly three . You see , unfortunately , he does not sleep in my dormitory , or I would settle him in the night ; and to-morrow he will be out of our reach . '' `` Well , I do n't care ! '' answered Nicholas , as though replying to some observation of his companions ; `` I say -- and I 'll stick to it -- Germain always seems to look down upon us as though we were not as good as he . ''