one o'clock before
On his return to his rooms he was astonished to find the candles alight and a strong smell of tobacco pervading the place . A lad of about sixteen leapt from the easy-chair in which he had been sitting , with his feet on another . `` Hullo , Harry , I did n't expect you back so soon ! The maid said you were dining out , and I suppose that generally means one o'clock before you are back . '' `` Well , what brings you here , Bert ? I thought I had got you off my hands for a year at least . '' `` I thought so , myself , '' the lad said coolly ; `` but circumstances have been too strong for me .