three o'clock
The street door darkened ; McBirney looked up . The rector and the bishop were coming in , the others at their heels . He thrust the envelope into his pocket , his pulse beating distinctly faster , and turned to meet his guests . When at three o'clock he got back to his quarters , after an exciting meeting of an hour , after lunch at the rectory , after seeing the bishop off on the 2.45 to New York , he locked his door first , and then hurriedly drew out the letter lying all this time unread . He tore untidily at the flap , and with that suddenly he stopped , and the luminous eyes took on an odd , sarcastic expression . `` What a fool ! '' he spoke , half aloud , and put the letter down and strolled across the room and gazed out of the window .