three o'clock
He kept the key of this safe himself . If it ever went into the hands of the clerk , it was only to bring it from the lock-drawer in the vaults ; he was never trusted to deposit it there . Mr. Checkynshaw did not look at the safe till he had thoroughly digested the affair which had just transpired . When he was ready to go home to dinner , just before three o'clock , he went to the safe to lock it , and secure the key where prying curiosity could not obtain it . It was not in the door , where he had left it ; but this did not startle him . His thoughts appeared to be still abstracted by the subject which had occupied them since the affray , and he was walking mechanically about the office . He went to the safe as much from the force of habit as for any reason , for he always secured it when he was about to leave .