nine o’clock
Veronique now received her friends in her bedroom , where they played whist . For several days past Madame Graslin had not left the house , and she seemed to be tormented by several of those caprices attributed to women in her condition . Her mother came to see her almost every day , and the two women remained for hours in consultation . It was nine o'clock , and the card tables were still without players , for every one was talking of the murder . Monsieur de Grandville entered the room . `` We have arrested the murderer of old Pingret , '' he said , joyfully . `` Who is it ? ''