seven o'clock
At any rate , see if my friend M. Forestier is here . '' He was conducted along a corridor and ushered into a large room in which four men were writing at a table . Forestier was standing before the fireplace , smoking a cigarette . After listening to Duroy 's story he said : `` Come with me ; I will take you to M. Walter , or else you might remain here until seven o'clock . '' They entered the manager 's room . Norbert de Varenne was writing an article , seated in an easychair ; Jacques Rival , stretched upon a divan , was smoking a cigar . The room had the peculiar odor familiar to all journalists .