about five o'clock
asked Volterra , looking hard at the porter . The old man drew himself up , wiped his forehead with a blue cotton handkerchief , and looked from the Baron to the detective , trying to make out whether his employer wished him to speak the truth . A moment 's reflection told him that he had better do so , as the visit of the police must be connected with the stain of blood he had washed from the pavement , and he could prove that he had nothing to do with it . `` It was about five o'clock , '' he answered quietly . `` And when did you come back ? '' enquired the detective . `` It was dusk .