two o'clock
Do n't lose heart . '' She went rapidly down the ladder . He bethought himself when too late and lighted the gas . His watch showed him that it was two o'clock . Vastly excited and strangely revived , he awaited her return , praying that she might not be intercepted by the minions of Elinor Crouch . An hour passed . He was about to give up in despair , confident that she had been summarily dealt with by the eagle-eyed Quinlan , when stealthy sounds came to his ears from the landing outside his door .