eleven o'clock
Beautrelet suppressed a smile and , pretending not to see through the worthy magistrate , replied : `` I confess . Monsieur le Juge d'Instruction , that , if I was not present at your inquiry just now , it was because I hoped that you would consent to tell me the results . May I ask what you have learned ? '' `` Well , last night , at eleven o'clock , the three gendarmes whom Sergeant Quevillon had left on guard at the chateau received a note from the sergeant telling them to hasten with all speed to Ouville , where they are stationed . They at once rode off , and when they arrived at Ouville -- '' `` They discovered that they had been tricked , that the order was a forgery and that there was nothing for them to do but return to Ambrumesy . '' `` This they did , accompanied by Sergeant Quevillon . But they were away for an hour and a half and , during this time , the crime was committed . ''