seven
o'clock
The Count did not like to be seen until he was thoroughly presentable . The elevator stopped . Sir Pierre stepped out into the corridor and walked along it toward the door at the far end . At exactly seven o'clock , he rapped briskly on the great door which bore the gilt-and-polychrome arms of the House D'Evreux . For the first time in seventeen years , there was no answer . Sir Pierre waited for the growled command to enter for a full minute , unable to believe his ears . Then , almost timidly , he rapped again .