nearly three o'clock in the afternoon before
`` I was beginning to be alarmed , Ralph , '' Percy said , when his brother again took his place in the wagon . `` I have been haggling over prices , '' Ralph said . `` Fortunately , we are not pressed for time . '' They had another stop , of some duration , at Chaville ; and it was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon before they came down to the back of Bellevue . Here they were stopped and , upon Ralph producing his pass , an officer came up . `` You can not go any farther , '' he said . `` You are close to Bellevue , now ; but if you were to take this wagon into the main road , you would draw Valerien 's fire upon us , at once .