ten minutes past four
But still I sat beside the mysterious coffer , indisposed to awaken my friend any sooner than was necessary , particularly since I felt in no way sleepy myself . I was to learn a lesson that night : the lesson of strict adherence to a compact . I had arranged to awaken Nayland Smith at four ; and because I dallied , determined to finish my pipe ere entering his bedroom , almost it happened that Fate placed it beyond my power ever to awaken him again . At ten minutes past four , amid a stillness so intense that the creaking of my slippers seemed a loud disturbance , I crossed the room and pushed open the door of Smith 's bedroom . It was in darkness , but as I entered I depressed the switch immediately inside the door , lighting the lamp which swung form the center of the ceiling . Glancing towards the bed , I immediately perceived that there was something different in its aspect , but at first I found this difference difficult to define . I stood for a moment in doubt .