About seven o’clock
I do n't believe I know where to look for it in this country . '' He began lighting the tapers with his usual deliberation . `` It 's a trifle early , I think , sir . About seven o'clock , I should say , was the hour , Mr. Glenarm . '' There was , of course , no doubt whatever that Bates had been one of the men I heard in my room . It was wholly possible that he had been compelled to assist in some lawless act against his will ; but why , if he had been forced into aiding a criminal , should he not invoke my own aid to protect himself ? I kicked the logs in the fireplace impatiently in my uncertainty .