twelve o'clock
Commanding them to fetch their files , saws , broad-axes and augurs , I led the way to the mighty doors that barred my entrance to the other side . Utterly ignoring the supplications of Conrad Schmick and the ominous frowns of his two sons , we set about filing off the padlocks , and chiselling through the wooden panels . I stood over my toiling minions and I venture to say that they never worked harder or faster in their lives . By twelve o'clock we had the great doors open and swept on to the next obstruction . At two o'clock the last door in the east ante-chamber gave way before our resolute advance and I stood victorious and dusty in the little recess at the top of the last stairway . Beyond the twentieth century portieres of a thirteenth century doorway lay the goal we sought . I hesitated briefly before drawing them apart and taking the final plunge .