Twelve o’clock
he asked . Silas , with a quaver , admitted that he had done so . `` Then this note is for you , '' added the servant , proffering a sealed envelope . Silas tore it open , and found inside the words : `` Twelve o'clock . '' He was punctual to the hour ; the trunk was carried before him by several stout servants ; and he was himself ushered into a room , where a man sat warming himself before the fire with his back towards the door . The sound of so many persons entering and leaving , and the scraping of the trunk as it was deposited upon the bare boards , were alike unable to attract the notice of the occupant ; and Silas stood waiting , in an agony of fear , until he should deign to recognise his presence . Perhaps five minutes had elapsed before the man turned leisurely about , and disclosed the features of Prince Florizel of Bohemia .