eight o'clock
`` And he has got mouth-pieces to them , and so he could bring thirty men upon a thief in less than half a minute . '' `` Well , then , George ! a walk is a great temptation , this beautiful day . '' In short , by eight o'clock the gold was deposited , and the three friends , for Policeman C must count for one , stepped lustily out in the morning air . It was the month of January ; a blazing hot day was beginning to glow through the freshness of morning ; the sky was one cope of pure blue , and the southern air crept slowly up , its wings clogged with fragrance , and just tuned the trembling leaves -- no more . `` Is not this pleasant , Tom -- is n't it sweet ? '' `` I believe you , George !