half past four
`` Dinner was excellent , '' I murmured , looking at myself in the mirror with satisfaction . `` The apartment is perfectly arranged . Yes , but ... '' I could not repress a shudder when I suddenly recalled that room of red marble . The clock struck half past four . Someone rapped gently on the door . The tall white Targa , who had brought me , appeared in the doorway . He stepped forward , touched me on the arm and signed for me to follow .