five o'clock
To a goal he little looked for -- or rather , which , in the madness of his headlong rush , he could not see . So I was to learn ere long . Next day I awoke betimes , and setting my window wide to let in the fresh , clean-smelling air of that May morning I made shift to dress . Save for the cackle of the poultry which had strayed into the courtyard , and the noisy yawns and sleep-laden ejaculations of the stable-boy , who was drawing water for the horses , all was still , for it had not yet gone five o'clock . But of a sudden a door opened somewhere , and a step rang out , accompanied by the jangle of spurs , and with it came a sharp , unpleasant voice calling for its owner 's horse . There was a familiar sound in those shrill accents that caused me to thrust my head through the casement . But I was quick to withdraw it , as I recognised in the gaily dressed little fellow below my old friend Malpertuis .