six o’clock
Something had been found which seemed to connect this mysterious murder with the outside world . Instantly the backdoor assumed the chief position of interest . The candle found lying in the yard seemed to prove , not only that Hannah had left the house shortly after descending from her room , but had left it by the backdoor , which we now remembered was only a few steps from the iron gate opening into the side street . But Thomas , being recalled , repeated his assertion that not only the back-door , but all the lower windows of the house , had been found by him securely locked and bolted at six o'clock that morning . Inevitable conclusion -- some one had locked and bolted them after the girl . Who ? Alas , that had now become the very serious and momentous question .