Four o'clock
That he had come deservedly by it I was positive . I was her sole protector now , and I felt a furious resolve that no one should rob me of her . The ground was as hard as iron , and I was satisfied that my footsteps had left no track ; there would be snow before morning , and if my feet had left any traces these would be covered effectively . Four o'clock was striking while I was climbing back into the room again . Jacqueline lay on the bed in the same position ; she had not stirred during that hour . While she slept I set about the completion of my task . I took the knife from the floor where I had flung it , scrubbed it , and placed it in my suit-case .