three o'clock
`` We must find out which way he goes , to begin with , '' he said . `` After that none of us need go near the house . I will buy a basket and some flowers from one of the peasant women who bring them in , and will take my seat near the gate . By three o'clock Plexo will have finished his offices in the temple , and may set out half an hour later . I shall see at least which road he takes . Then , when you join me at dusk , one of you can walk a mile or two along the road ; the other twice as far . We shall then see when he returns whether he has followed the road any considerable distance or has turned off by any crossroads , and can post ourselves on the following day so as to find out more . ''