six o'clock
Robert thanked them for their civility , and wished them good-morning . As he was leaving the office , one of the young men called after him : `` Oh , by-the-by , sir , '' he said , `` I remember one thing about this Mr. Thomas Brown -- his arm was in a sling . '' There was nothing more for Robert Audley to do but to return to town . He re-entered his chambers at six o'clock that evening , thoroughly worn out once more with his useless search . Mrs. Maloney brought him his dinner and a pint of wine from a tavern in the Strand . The evening was raw and chilly , and the laundress had lighted a good fire in the sitting-room grate . After eating about half a mutton-chop , Robert sat with his wine untasted upon the table before him , smoking cigars and staring into the blaze .