six
o'clock
You know not , sirra , how you may have implicated both her and me by such conduct , especially the young lady . You are known to be in my service ; although , for certain reasons , I do not intend , for the present at least , to put you into livery ; and you ought to know , sir , also , that it will be taken for granted that you acted by my orders . Now , sir , keep that secret to yourself , and let it not pass your lips until I may think proper to ask you for it . '' One evening , on the second day after this , he reached his hotel at six o'clock , and was about to enter , when a young lad , dancing up to him , asked in a whisper if that was for him , at the same time presenting a note . The other , looking at it , saw that it was addressed to him only by his initials . `` I think it is , my boy , '' said he ; `` from whom did it come , do you know ? '' The lad , instead of giving him any reply , took instantly to his heels , as if he had been pursued for life and death , without even waiting to solicit the gratuity which is usually expected on such occasions .