two
in the afternoon
One of the bedroom windows was open , and the customary short blind , with its brass upper rail partly unfastened , drooped obliquely across the vacant space . It looked negligent and odd , for usually everything about the cottage was conspicuously trim . The door was standing wide open , and everything was still . But giving that usually orderly hall an odd look -- it was about half-past two in the afternoon -- was a pile of three dirty plates , with used knives and forks upon them , on one of the hall chairs . I went into the hall , looked into either room , and hesitated . Then I fell to upon the door-knocker and gave a loud rat-tat-too , and followed this up with an amiable `` Hel-lo ! '' For a time no one answered me , and I stood listening and expectant , with my fingers about my weapon .