eleven o'clock
Perhaps Krool had dropped it . His eyes fell on the opening words ... His face turned ashen white . A harsh cry broke from him . At eleven o'clock to the minute Ian Stafford entered Byng 's mansion and was being taken to Jasmine 's sitting-room , when Rudyard appeared on the staircase , and with a peremptory gesture waved the servant away . Ian was suddenly conscious of a terrible change in Rudyard 's appearance . His face was haggard and his warm colour had given place to a strange blackish tinge which seemed to underlie the pallor -- the deathly look to be found in the faces of those stricken with a mortal disease . All strength and power seemed to have gone from the face , leaving it tragic with uncontrolled suffering .