seven o’clock
He gathered from Conrad that they were waiting for orders from `` Mr. Brown . '' Perhaps , thought Tommy , he was abroad or away , and they were obliged to wait for his return . But the evening of the third day brought a rude awakening . It was barely seven o'clock when he heard the tramp of footsteps outside in the passage . In another minute the door was flung open . Conrad entered . With him was the evil-looking Number 14 .