about twelve
o'clock
`` It is merely the result of having traveled on the conservative Boston and Manhattan , which would turn a phlegmatic Pennsylvania Dutchman into a Nihilist . '' Then both men laughed together , and turned their attention to the business before them , Mr. Osgood 's pale silver head close beside Smith 's brown one . In the outer office typewriters clicked , clients hung over desks , and the traffic of a busy morning proceeded . It was just about twelve o'clock when the clerks nearest the door stopped their work for a brief minute to look up and smile , for Charles Wilkinson , whenever he came to that office , timed his arrival with a skill that was perfectly understood by all . Mr. Wilkinson beamed blandly over the map counter , and still more blandly inquired whether Mr. Bennington Cole was in . Mr. Cole was , it appeared , at his desk , and Mr. Wilkinson required no one to show him the way . `` Hello , Benny , '' he said cheerfully .