three o'clock
`` To-day ? '' `` Quite correct , sir . '' Step by step Mr. Audley elicited the following information . A locksmith had called upon Mrs. Maloney that afternoon at three o'clock , and had asked for the key of Mr. Audley 's chambers , in order that he might look to the locks of the doors , which he stated were all out of repair . He declared that he was acting upon Mr. Audley 's own orders , conveyed to him by a letter from the country , where the gentleman was spending his Christmas . Mrs. Maloney , believing in the truth of this statement , had admitted the man to the chambers , where he stayed about half an hour . `` But you were with him while he examined the locks , I suppose ? ''