three o'clock
But his heart was heavy with foreboding as he entered his own bank . Here the line was somewhat shorter than at most of the others , but still sufficiently long to cause dismay . Sherman passed behind the counter and conferred with his assistant . `` We close in half an hour -- at three o'clock , '' he said . `` That will give us a breathing spell . Tomorrow comes the test . By then the town will know of Page-Bacon 's failure ... '' He beckoned to the head accountant , who came hurriedly , a quill pen bobbing behind his ear , his tall figure bent from stooping over ledgers .