five
minutes to seven
were the written words . Paul crushed the paper in the hollow of his hand and threw it into the fire , where it burned away . He also glanced at the clock . It was five minutes to seven . Suddenly the door was thrown open and a manservant rushed in -- pale , confused , terror-stricken . He was a giant footman in the gorgeous livery of the Alexis . `` Excellency , '' he stammered in Russian , `` the castle is surrounded -- they will kill us -- they will burn us out -- '' He stopped abashed before Paul 's pointing finger and stony face .