about five o’clock
One knew that thus , and only thus , could a solution be found . I clasped his hand in silence , and the die was cast . But it was not destined that our investigation should have so adventurous an ending . It was about five o'clock , and the shadows of the March evening were beginning to fall , when an excited rustic rushed into our room . `` They 've gone , Mr. Holmes . They went by the last train . The lady broke away , and I 've got her in a cab downstairs . ''