five
minutes before seven
`` That 's hard upon you , is n't it ? '' said he . `` But , at any rate , you can wash your hands , and get rid of the blood . I 'll be down in the little drawing-room five minutes before seven , and I suppose I 'll find you there . '' At five minutes before seven Lord De Guest came into the small drawing-room , and found Johnny seated there , with a book before him . The earl was a little fussy , and showed by his manner that he was not quite at his ease , as some men do when they have any piece of work on hand which is not customary to them . He held something in his hand , and shuffled a little as he made his way up the room .