seven o'clock
I began to hope that the master of the place might chance to be away ; and when darkness had fallen I went into the long passage then deserted , and found the door of his sitting-room ajar , but the place was dim within ; and I feared to make an attempt to get the arms until I knew that all slept . But one misfortune could lie between myself and the aid which I should bear to these men -- it was the chance that Black locked the door of his study when he slept . If he did not , I could get the rifles , and convey them across the bay to the other fellows ; if he did , all hope were gone . At seven o'clock I dined as usual , no one coming to me ; and at eight the negro had cleared away the repast , and had left me for the night . I closed my own door , and for three hours or more I paced my chamber , the fever of anticipation and of design burning me as with fire . It must have been eleven o'clock when at last I put out my light , and listened in the passage ; yet heard nothing , not even the echo of a distant sound . Of the doors about , the majority were closed ; but the doctor 's was open , and his room was in darkness , so that I began to fear that he was closeted with Black ; and I went very stealthily , having left my boots behind me , to the man 's study , and found that door ajar as it had been when I had come to it some hours before .