five o’clock
Now , these researches after heretics invariably cost money , for they involved the services of spies . Obviously , therefore , friend Dirk , the Dutch Flounder , was a man to provide the butter in which he was going to be fried . Why , if any Hollander had a spark of humour he would see the joke of it himself -- and Montalvo ended his reflections as he had begun them , with a merry peal of laughter , after which he rose and ate a most excellent breakfast . It was about half-past five o'clock that afternoon before the Captain and Acting-Commandant Montalvo returned from some duty to which he had been attending , for it may be explained that he was a zealous officer and a master of detail . As he entered his lodgings the soldier who acted as his servant , a man selected for silence and discretion , saluted and stood at attention . `` Is the woman here ? '' he asked .