eight o’clock
`` For a time my brain went stagnant . Presently I got up and came through the passage here , limping , because my heel was still painful , and feeling sorely begrimed . I saw the _ Pall Mall Gazette _ on the table by the door . I found the date was indeed today , and looking at the timepiece , saw the hour was almost eight o'clock . I heard your voices and the clatter of plates . I hesitated -- I felt so sick and weak . Then I sniffed good wholesome meat , and opened the door on you .