ten o’clock
`` When , then , will you tell me something to explain your unbelievable conduct ? '' Rouletabille stopped in his tracks and declared solemnly : `` Monsieur Koupriane , recall what Natacha Feodorovna as she raised her lovely eyes to heaven , replied to her father , when he , also , wished to understand : ` Never . ''' At ten o'clock that morning Rouletabille went to the Trebassof villa , which had its guard of secret agents again , a double guard , because Koupriane was sure the Nihilists would not delay in avenging Michael 's death . Rouletabille was met by Ermolai , who would not allow him to enter . The faithful servant uttered some explanation in Russian , which the young man did not understand , or , rather , Rouletabille understood perfectly from his manner that henceforth the door of the villa was closed to him . In vain he insisted on seeing the general , Matrena Petrovna and Mademoiselle Natacha .