seven o'clock
His head became clear again . He pulled himself to his feet . Through the trees he could see the Beecham 's house , stark white in the early morning light . It was after seven o'clock , he thought , and the family would soon be at breakfast . A small stream of smoke drifted up from the kitchen chimney , wavering and drooping in the still air . Tom left the stream and entered the bushes . When he was within fifty yards of the house , he dropped to the ground .