about twelve o’clock
Two other persons , one on the second and one on the first floor , were also looking into the garden , and saying that the old madman was amusing himself by making his children fight . Immediately a number of heads appeared at the windows ; the Marquis , noticing them , called a word to his sons , who at once climbed up to the window and jumped into his room , and Clement obtained the permission asked by Camille . All through the house every one was talking of the Marquis ' new form of insanity . When Popinot arrived at about twelve o'clock , accompanied by his clerk , the portress , when asked for M. d'Espard , conducted him to the third floor , telling him `` as how M. d'Espard , no longer ago than that very morning , had set on his two children to fight , and laughed like the monster he was on seeing the younger biting the elder till he bled , and as how no doubt he longed to see them kill each other . -- Do n't ask me the reason why , '' she added ; `` he does n't show himself ! '' Just as the woman spoke these decisive words , she had brought the judge to the landing on the third floor , face to face with a door covered with notices announcing the successive numbers of the Picturesque History of China . The muddy floor , the dirty banisters , the door where the printers had left their marks , the dilapidated window , and the ceiling on which the apprentices had amused themselves with drawing monstrosities with the smoky flare of their tallow dips , the piles of paper and litter heaped up in the corners , intentionally or from sheer neglect -- in short , every detail of the picture lying before his eyes , agreed so well with the facts alleged by the Marquise that the judge , in spite of his impartiality , could not help believing them .