four o’clock
Therefore he was obliged to carry the news himself ; when he came his man was gone . Indeed Rupert must have left the house almost immediately after I was safe away from the city . He was determined to be in good time for his appointment ; his only enemies were not in Strelsau ; there was no warrant on which he could be apprehended ; and , although his connection with Black Michael was a matter of popular gossip , he felt himself safe from arrest by virtue of the secret that protected him . Accordingly he walked out of the house , went to the station , took his ticket to Hofbau , and , traveling by the four o'clock train , reached his destination about half-past five . He must have passed the train in which Rischenheim traveled ; the first news the latter had of his departure was from a porter at the station , who , having recognized the Count of Hentzau , ventured to congratulate Rischenheim on his cousin 's return . Rischenheim made no answer , but hurried in great agitation to the house in the Konigstrasse , where the old woman Holf confirmed the tidings . Then he passed through a period of great irresolution .