three o'clock
Difficult things looked gigantic in the darkness , and everything upon which his thoughts dwelt became hopelessly exaggerated in his mind . Brandy and other stimulants had never been a temptation to him ; his life had too often depended upon his wits for him to risk a muddled brain . But he still believed in tabloids ; and as the day dawned , and light crept through the window , he looked longingly at the little glass vial lying on the dressing-table . It was three o'clock , and if only he could get a couple of hours ' deep rest before the noise of the city began , he might yet be able to pull himself together and arrange his affairs . He rose from the bed and went with unfaltering steps to the dressing-table and shook the tiny discs into the palm of his hand ; and then he counted them deliberately . ` It 's kill or cure ! ' he said , with that queer courage which never deserted him , even if it were based entirely upon self-seeking and self-interest .