nearly six o'clock
`` Where 's the governor , Mr. Droom ? '' he asked , deliberately brushing past the old clerk in the outer office . `` Left some time ago , '' replied Droom , somewhat ungraciously , his blue eyes staring past the young man with a steadiness that suggested reproach because he was out of the direct line of vision . `` It is nearly six o'clock -- he 's never here after five . '' `` I know that he -- I asked you if you knew of his whereabouts . Do you -- or not ? '' The self-confident , athletic youth did not stand in physical awe of the clerk .