seven o'clock
He had now little choice ; he must either flee Paris and trust to his wits to save him , or else seek De Morbihan and solicit his protection , his boasted influence in high quarters . But to give himself into the hands , to become an associate , of one who could be party to so cowardly a Crime as this ... Lanyard told himself he would sooner pay the guillotine the penalty ... . Consulting his watch , he found the hour to be no later than half-past four : so swiftly -LRB- truly treading upon one another 's heels -RRB- events had moved since the incident of the somnambulist . This left at his disposal a fair two hours more of darkness : November nights are long and black in Paris ; it would hardly be even moderately light before seven o'clock . But that were a respite none too long for Lanyard 's necessity ; he must think swiftly in contemplation of instant action were he to extricate himself without the Pack 's knowledge and consent . Granted , then , he must fly this stricken field of Paris . But how ?