half past five
`` I know that game , '' he said . `` Five times in one day is a little bit ... . Well , you better look sharp and get a copy of our correspondence in the Delacour case for Mr Alleyne . '' This address in the presence of the public , his run upstairs and the porter he had gulped down so hastily confused the man and , as he sat down at his desk to get what was required , he realised how hopeless was the task of finishing his copy of the contract before half past five . The dark damp night was coming and he longed to spend it in the bars , drinking with his friends amid the glare of gas and the clatter of glasses . He got out the Delacour correspondence and passed out of the office . He hoped Mr Alleyne would not discover that the last two letters were missing .