twelve o'clock
Luckily , to prevent any quarrel between parties so interested in maintaining a good understanding as the screw and the screw-driver , betting commenced at this time in very loud terms on various contingencies of the approaching trial . -LSB- 2 -RSB- Ten guineas to ten were offered freely that the prisoner was acquitted , but found few takers . Mr. Dulberry said that he would have taken it if the jury had not been packed . Three to four that the trial was over before twelve o'clock ; -- this was taken cautiously . Ten to seven that Mr. Justice -- did _ not _ yawn six times before the peroration of Mr. -- -LRB- who led for the crown -RRB- ; this was taken pretty freely . A thousand to one that the prisoner did not show the white feather ; in spite of the immense odds , this was not listened to ; so generally was the prisoner 's character established for imperturbable firmness . At this moment a general buz announced the commencement of some profounder interest : a trampling of horses outside announced the arrival of Captain Nicholas with his escort from Walladmor .