noon
Hawkes was taking no chances . He was compelling Alan to take part in the robbery . The currency transfer was scheduled to take place at 1240 , according to the inside information that Hollis had somehow obtained . Shortly after noon , Hawkes and Alan left the apartment and boarded the Undertube , their destination the downtown section of York City where the World Reserve Bank was located . They reached the bank about 1230 . The armored truck was parked outside , looking sleek and impregnable , and four massive roboguards stood watch , one by each wheel . There were three human policemen too , but they were strictly for effect ; in case of any trouble , the roboguards were expected to handle the rough work .