four o'clock
He knew that by eleven the lights would be out , and Lucia and the servants all in bed . He demanded black coffee to keep him awake and the key of the side door to let himself out . All on the understanding that he would leave the house by half-past eleven or twelve at the latest . He could thus put in a good five hours extra without any one being any the wiser ; and four o'clock would find Mr. Rickman stealing back to his hotel over the grey and dewy grass . For three days and three nights love 's miraculous energy sustained him . On the fourth night he was overcome by a slight fatigue , and at one o'clock he lay down on the hearth rug to sleep , registering in his brain his intention to wake punctually at two . And for three days and three nights Lucia hardly gave a thought to Mr. Rickman .