About five o'clock
But now , of course , all these old keeps were warped and crumbling , and made fine nesting places for the wild birds . Many a good egg have I had for my collection out of the Corriemuir Peel Tower . One day I had been a very long walk , away over to leave a message at the Laidlaw Armstrongs , who live two miles on this side of Ayton . About five o'clock , just before the sun set , I found myself on the brae path with the gable end of West Inch peeping up in front of me and the old Peel tower lying on my left . I turned my eyes on the keep , for it looked so fine with the flush of the level sun beating full upon it and the blue sea stretching out behind ; and as I stared , I suddenly saw the face of a man twinkle for a moment in one of the holes in the wall . Well I stood and wondered over this , for what could anybody be doing in such a place now that it was too early for the nesting season ? It was so queer that I was determined to come to the bottom of it ; so , tired as I was , I turned my shoulder on home , and walked swiftly towards the tower .