twenty minutes to three
Gallegher 's hand was still in that pocket in which Mr. Dwyer had shoved his notebook filled with what he had written of Gallegher 's work and Hade 's final capture , and with a running descriptive account of the fight . With his eyes fixed on Mr. Dwyer , Gallegher drew it out , and with a quick movement shoved it inside his waistcoat . Mr. Dwyer gave a nod of comprehension . Then glancing at his two guardsmen , and finding that they were still interested in the wordy battle of the correspondents with their chief , and had seen nothing , he stooped and whispered to Gallegher : `` The forms are locked at twenty minutes to three . If you do n't get there by that time it will be of no use , but if you 're on time you 'll beat the town -- and the country too . '' Gallegher 's eyes flashed significantly , and , nodding his head to show he understood , started boldly on a run toward the door . But the officers who guarded it brought him to an abrupt halt , and , much to Mr. Dwyer 's astonishment , drew from him what was apparently a torrent of tears .