about five o’clock
Passing before the door of the cellar , he smiled . Nevertheless , he made sure of the strength of the hook fastening the door . Outside , on the deserted pavement , he moved along with short steps in the fresh matutinal air . It was then about five o'clock . Laurent passed an atrocious day . He had to struggle against the overpowering drowsiness that settled on him in the afternoon at his office . His heavy , aching head nodded in spite of himself , but he abruptly brought it up , as soon as he heard the step of one of his chiefs .