five o'clock
This was no more than a vague , half-formed idea , that flitted through his mind for a moment and faded as rapidly as it had come ; the attack in front was becoming more determined , and his every faculty was concentrated on the struggle that was assuming , with every moment , larger dimensions . Suddenly he turned his head and looked away to the north , over the city of Sedan , where the heights of Floing were visible in the distance . A battery had just commenced firing from that quarter ; the smoke rose in the bright sunshine in little curls and wreaths , and the reports came to his ears very distinctly . It was in the neighborhood of five o'clock . `` Well , well , '' he murmured , `` they are all going to have a hand in the business , it seems . '' The lieutenant of marines , who had turned his eyes in the same direction , spoke up confidently : `` Oh ! Bazeilles is the key of the position .