seven minutes past three
`` She woke up suddenly , '' said Jerkley , `` in the middle of the night , and found that her husband was not at her side . She waited for a little and then rose from her bed . She drew the window-curtains aside and by the glimmering light which came into the room , was able to read the dial of her watch . It was seven minutes past three of the morning . She immediately lighted her candle and went to rouse her father . Her door opened upon the landing , it is the first door upon the left hand side as you mount the stairs ; the big drawing-room opens on to the landing too , but faces the stairs . Mrs. Lashley at once went to that room , knowing how late Mr. Mardale is used to sit over his inventions , and as she expected , found him there .