eight o’clock
He seemed a clumsy enough creature , and Simon and his wife had to do most of the work themselves . Chauvelin watched the moving forms for a while , then he shrugged his shoulders with a laugh of indifference , and turned on his heel . Heron was not at his lodgings when , at last , after vigorous pulls at the bell , a great deal of waiting and much cursing , Chauvelin , closely followed by Armand , was introduced in the chief agent 's office . The soldier who acted as servant said that citizen Heron had gone out to sup , but would surely be home again by eight o'clock . Armand by this time was so dazed with fatigue that he sank on a chair like a log , and remained there staring into the fire , unconscious of the flight of time . Anon Heron came home . He nodded to Chauvelin , and threw but a cursory glance on Armand .