5:30
You will be entirely at liberty to give him into custody , or to have him followed by the police , in which case the duchess 's left arm , cut off at the shoulder , will be sent home for dinner -- not to mention other extremely possible contingencies . But you are _ advised _ to give the individual in question the five hundred pounds in gold , because in that case the duchess herself will be home in time to receive the prince to dinner , and with one of the best stories with which to entertain your distinguished guests they ever heard . `` Remember ! _ not later than _ 5:30 , unless you wish to receive her grace 's little finger . '' The duke stared at this amazing epistle when he had read it as though he found it difficult to believe the evidence of his eyes . He was not a demonstrative person , as a rule , but this little communication astonished even him . He read it again .