six o'clock
It contained only a half-sheet of paper , with these words written upon it in the cramped half-illegible hand which figured on the outside : `` The person advertising for Marian Nowell is requested to call at No. 5 , Queen Anne 's Court , Wardour Street , any evening after seven . '' This was all . Little as this brief note implied , however , Gilbert made sure that the writer must be in a position to give him some kind of information about the object of his search . It was six o'clock when he received the communication . He went from the post-office to his lodgings with his mind in a tumult of excitement , made a mere pretence of taking a hasty dinner , and set off immediately afterwards for Wardour Street . There was more than time for him to walk , and he hoped that the walk might have some effect in reducing the fever of his mind . He did not want to present himself before strangers -- who , no doubt , only wanted to make a barter of any knowledge they possessed as to Marian 's whereabouts -- in a state of mental excitement .