six
o'clock
he cried , with the bedclothes still about his shoulders . No one answered this , but the knock was repeated , a decisive knock as of one who meant to win admittance . `` All right , I will come in a minute , '' was now his answer ; to which he added the question -- `` Is that you , Count ? Do you know it 's only just six o'clock ? '' He opened the door and found himself face to face with the hotel valet , an amiable young Frenchman by the name of Malette . `` Monsieur , '' said the man , `` will you please come at once ? There has been an accident -- his excellency is very ill . ''