four o'clock
There was no sound from one of them , but from the other a queer restless struggling . Having opened both boxes , he found that the noise was from the Nepaul animal , which , however , became quiet at once . In the other box the new mongoose lay dead , with every appearance of having been strangled ! On the following day , a little after four o'clock , Adam set out for Mercy . He was home just as the clocks were striking six . He was pale and upset , but otherwise looked strong and alert . The old man summed up his appearance and manner thus : `` Braced up for battle . ''