two o'clock in the
afternoon
Kit gave him the envelope and went back to Adam 's room . Although the shutters on the balcony window were open , no draught entered the small , bare room and the heat that soaked through the thick walls was nearly intolerable . There was not a sound in the presidio and a drowsy quietness brooded over the dazzling town . It was two o'clock in the afternoon , and the citizens were resting in their darkened houses until the sun got low and work and intrigue began again . Adam and Kit , however , had been talking for some time when the former , leaning back in a big cane chair , frowned at his nephew . His thin face was wet with sweat , but he shivered and his hands shook . `` You can quit arguing ; I 've got to go , '' he said .