eleven o'clock
Later , she was nettled to notice that he had utilized it in prosaic fashion , for that night no lights flared late from the casino . The gamesters , informed that rumors were a-wing , had betaken themselves elsewhere . A small smoking-room in the hotel proper seemed less obnoxious to suspicion in the depleted condition of the guest-list , since autumn was now approaching . After eleven o'clock the coterie would scarcely be subject to interruption , and there they gathered as the hour waxed late . The cards were duly dealt , the draw was on , when suddenly the door opened and old Mr. Whitmel , his favorite meerschaum in his hand and a sheaf of newly arrived journals , entered with the evident intention of a prolonged stay . A `` standpatter '' seemed hardly so assured as before he encountered the dim , surprised gaze , but the old clergyman was esteemed a good sort , and he ventured on a reminder : `` You have been here before , have n't you , Mr. Whitmel ? Saw a deal of this sort of thing in the army ! ''