One o'clock
In absence of evidence , the guilty parties remain in custody , but I propose to release them in a week or so . It was their ignorance that led them astray ! '' A COUNTRY village wrapped in the darkness of night . One o'clock strikes from the belfry . Two lawyers , called Kozyavkin and Laev , both in the best of spirits and a little unsteady on their legs , come out of the wood and turn towards the cottages . `` Well , thank God , we 've arrived , '' says Kozyavkin , drawing a deep breath . `` Tramping four miles from the station in our condition is a feat .