ten o'clock
I had been in Gex just a fortnight when the weather , which hitherto had been splendid , turned to squalls and storms . We were then in the second week of September . A torrential rain had fallen the whole of one day , during which I had only been out in order to meet Leroux , as usual , at the Café du Crâne Chauve . I had just come home from our evening meeting -- it was then ten o'clock -- and I was preparing to go comfortably to bed , when I was startled by a violent ring at the front-door bell . I had only just time to wonder if this belated visitor desired to see me or my worthy landlady , Mme. Bournon , when her heavy footsteps resounded along the passage . The next moment I heard my name spoken peremptorily by a harsh voice , and Mme. Bournon 's reply that M. Aristide Barrot was indeed within . A few seconds later she ushered my nocturnal visitor into my room .