nearly six o'clock
`` It 's all very well your saying that a man escaped by wading this moat , but what I ask you is , how did he ever get into the house at all if the bridge was up ? '' `` Ah , that 's the question , '' said Barker . `` At what o'clock was it raised ? '' `` It was nearly six o'clock , '' said Ames , the butler . `` I 've heard , '' said the sergeant , `` that it was usually raised at sunset . That would be nearer half-past four than six at this time of year . '' `` Mrs. Douglas had visitors to tea , '' said Ames .