three o’clock
Jonathan Small must have felt that the peculiar appearance of his companion , however much he may have top-coated him , would give rise to gossip , and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy . He was quite sharp enough to see that . They had started from their head-quarters under cover of darkness , and he would wish to get back before it was broad light . Now , it was past three o'clock , according to Mrs. Smith , when they got the boat . It would be quite bright , and people would be about in an hour or so . Therefore , I argued , they did not go very far . They paid Smith well to hold his tongue , reserved his launch for the final escape , and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure-box .