nearly three o'clock
As for M. Dantès , he threw himself carelessly in the way of the Ministerial Secretary to whom he had alluded , who was no other than our friend Lucien Debray , and saluted him with most marked and winning courtesy . `` Will the Ministerial Secretary suffer me to compliment him upon his indefatigable industry and exertions to-night to fortify order in Paris and sustain the administration ? '' Debray bowed somewhat confusedly at this remark , and having returned a diplomatic reply , from which neither himself nor any one else could have elicited an idea , M. Dantès continued the conversation . `` Let me see , it is now nearly three o'clock , '' he said , consulting his repeater ; `` at half-past two you received an order , signed by the Duke of Montpensier , and directed to the War Ministry , commanding that seventy-two additional pieces of artillery be transported from Vincennes to Paris before dawn . That order was issued , and the ordnance is now on the boulevard ! '' `` How ! '' exclaimed the astonished Secretary .