a quarter to ten
Wait here . '' `` For ten minutes , Sutherland ; no longer ! The moon is bright , and I can see the hands of my watch distinctly . At a quarter to ten , you will return here with the amount I have mentioned , or I will seek it at your father 's hands in his own study . '' Frederick made a hurried gesture and vanished up the walk . Next moment he was at his father 's study door . Mr. Sutherland was busily engaged with a law paper when his son entered his presence , but at sight of that son 's face , he dropped the paper with an alacrity which Frederick was too much engaged with his own thoughts to notice .