two o’clock
When they had finished their task and sat down again opposite to one another in the little front room , the whole scheme was ready , the preparations were made , all was in train ; they waited only for that impulse from chance or fate which was to turn the servant 's story into reality and action . And when the thing was done , Sapt 's coolness , so rarely upset , yet so completely beaten by the force of that wild idea , came back to him . He lit his pipe again and lay back in his chair , puffing freely , with a meditative look on his face . `` It 's two o'clock , sir , '' said James . `` Something should have happened before now in Strelsau . '' `` Ah , but what ? '' asked the constable .