five o'clock in the
afternoon
In truth , it seemed as if Dom Antoine owned a library that might rival that of the Abbey of St. Victor . I made up my mind to go a step farther than La Marmotte 's suggestion , and as the chances of discovery were equal whether I remained in the outer room or here I decided to stay where I was . Between the wall and one of the projecting bookshelves there was space sufficient for a man to stand perfectly concealed , unless anyone chose to come round the bookcase . Here , then , I took up my position , trusting much to luck , as one has to do in a desperate enterprise , and relying on the chance that De Mouchy would never suspect that anyone would dare to act as I was doing in broad daylight , for it was not much beyond five o'clock in the afternoon . I had not long to wait . Presently I heard a scratching at a door opposite to that by which I had entered the room . There was a murmured word or so , then the door opened , and Dom Antoine de Mouchy stepped in , bearing in his arms an immense black cat .