seven o'clock
cried George , spirits returning . Three days had passed . Rain began to fall heavily on this afternoon . Usually -- even had there been floods -- George did not return to the inn until seven o'clock . The less he was near the abode of man the safer was his vile secret . But to-day , when the clouds told him a steady downpour had set in , he put out for his lodging before three . He was in high spirits .