two o'clock
And so we left him to his afternoon vigil , after Holmes had taken a look at the bulldog chained up near the horses downstairs , -- and returning to the castle we all entered the library , where the Earl called the butler , and said : `` Harrigan , you may pour us out each a glass of wine . '' Harrigan smilingly agreed , and after we had all imbibed , the Earl and Uncle Tooter played chess on the great mahogany table in the center of the room ; Holmes and Thorneycroft started a game of checkers , as did Lord Launcelot and myself , sitting on the leather-covered divans in the broad bay-window , while Billie Hicks sprawled himself out in a comfortable arm-chair at one side . The Countess did not appear , being still upstairs in her own room with her maid Teresa , and the various servants were scattered through the numerous rooms of the castle engaged in their various duties . So the afternoon passed , -- from a little after two o'clock , when we returned from the stables , until ten minutes after five , when suddenly two loud shots split the silence , coming from the direction of the rear of the castle . `` Ha ! There he is now ! '' yelled Holmes , as he jumped up instantly , knocking the checkerboard and all the pieces into the lap of the astonished Thorneycroft , and ran out into the corridor , shouting to us to accompany him .