Twelve o'clock
He drew out his watch and stared at it blankly . What the devil had he taken it out for ? He had to go through a laborious process of readjustment to find out what it had to say ... . Twelve o'clock ... . Should he turn back to the office ? It seemed easier to cross the square , go up the steps of the old house and slip his key into the door ... . The house was empty .