twelve o'clock
Rénine looked at his watch : `` I have not understood everything , '' he said . `` The murder itself , the mere brutal murder , yes . But the essential thing , that is to say , the psychology of the crime : I 've no clue to that . Only , it is twelve o'clock . The brother and sister , seeing no one come to the appointment at the Trois Mathildes , will go down to the beach . Do n't you think that we shall learn something then of the accomplice whom I accuse them of having and of the connection between the two cases ? '' They reached the esplanade in front of the Hauville chalets , with the capstans by which the fishermen haul up their boats to the beach .