about three o'clock in the morning
A few days before the tenth of October , which was the day appointed for the bridal , Dick Turner , one of Paul 's friends , gave a supper at the Bachelors ' Club . A supper in honor of Paul , or to testify the sorrow of the Club at the loss of one of its members . It was a very hilarious occasion , and the toasting and wine-drinking extended far into the small hours . In a somewhat elevated frame of mind , Mr. Paul Linmere left the rooms of the Club at about three o'clock in the morning , to return home . His way lay along the most deserted part of the city -- a place where there were few dwellings , and the buildings were mostly stores and warehouses . Suddenly a touch on his arm stopped him . The same cold , deathly touch he had felt once before .