evening, about six o'clock
He was silent for a few moments , and then burst into a stentorian song . His remarks -LRB- as reported -RRB- were as follows : `` O Rowty-owty tiddly-owty Tiddly-owty tiddly-owty Highty-ighty tiddly-ighty Tiddly-ighty ow . '' He then retired from public life and took the garret in Lambeth . I was sitting there one evening , about six o'clock , over a glass of that gorgeous Burgundy which he kept behind a pile of black-letter folios ; he was striding about the room , fingering , after a habit of his , one of the great swords in his collection ; the red glare of the strong fire struck his square features and his fierce grey hair ; his blue eyes were even unusually full of dreams , and he had opened his mouth to speak dreamily , when the door was flung open , and a pale , fiery man , with red hair and a huge furred overcoat , swung himself panting into the room . `` Sorry to bother you , Basil , '' he gasped . `` I took a liberty -- made an appointment here with a man -- a client -- in five minutes -- I beg your pardon , sir , '' and he gave me a bow of apology . Basil smiled at me .