one o’clock in the morning
At last the great specialist from Manchester Square gave it out that there was no chance for Prince Eugen unless the natural vigour of his constitution should prove capable of throwing off the poison unaided by scientific assistance , as a drunkard can sleep off his potion . Everything had been tried , even to artificial respiration and the injection of hot coffee . Having emitted this pronouncement , the great specialist from Manchester Square left . It was one o'clock in the morning . By one of those strange and futile coincidences which sometimes startle us by their subtle significance , the specialist met Theodore Racksole and his captive as they were entering the hotel . Neither had the least suspicion of the other 's business . In the State bedroom the small group of watchers surrounded the bed .