about five o'clock
A faintly lined path led from the house through a gate in a zigzag fence and up to the base of her fortress . The rock had so crumbled on that side that a sort of path extended clear up to the top . But her alarm quieted somewhat when she noted how the path was grass-grown . As nearly as she could judge it was about five o'clock . So that smoke meant breakfast ! Her eyes fixed hungrily upon the thin column of violet vapor mounting straight into the still morning air . When smoke rose in that fashion , she remembered , it was sure sign of clear weather .