six o'clock
` Ave it your own way , but do n't blame me , that 's all I ask . '' Urged on by his friends Mr. Nugent at last consented , and , in a reply to his father , agreed to meet him at the house of Mr. Wilks on Thursday evening . He was not free him-self from a slight curiosity as to the reasons which had made the captain unbend in so unusual a fashion . Mr. Nathan Smith put in an appearance at six o'clock on the fatal evening . He was a short , slight man , with a clean-shaven face mapped with tiny wrinkles , and a pair of colourless eyes the blankness of whose expression defied research . In conversation , especially conversation of a diplomatic nature , Mr. Smith seemed to be looking through his opponent at something beyond , an uncomfortable habit which was a source of much discomfort to his victims . `` Here we are , then , Mr. Wilks , '' he said , putting his head in the door and smiling at the agitated steward .