seven in the evening
* * * * * This article , published on the first page of _ La Capitale _ , was signed : JÉRÔME FANDOR . Two days before the sinister drama , details of which Jérôme Fandor had given in _ La Capitale _ , the smart little town house inhabited by the Baroness de Vibray , in the Avenue Henri-Martin , assumed a festive appearance . This did not surprise her neighbours , for they knew the owner of this charming residence was very much a woman of the world , whose reception-rooms were constantly opened to the many distinguished Parisians forming her circle of acquaintances . It was seven in the evening when the Baroness , dressed for dinner , passed from her own room into the small drawing-room adjoining . Crossing a carpet so thick and soft that it deadened the sound of footsteps , she pressed the button of an electric bell beside the fireplace . A major-domo , of the most correct appearance , presented himself . `` The Baroness rang for me ? ''