the hour of ten
He sat down to consider the matter . Sprawling comfortably in the chair he lit his pipe , his ear on the alert to catch the slightest sound of the captive in the cask above . The warm air was laden with the scent of flowers , and nothing stirred with the exception of Mr. Tasker 's shadow on the blind of the kitchen window . The clock in the neighbouring church chimed the three-quarters , and in due time boomed out the hour of ten . Mr. Tredgold knocked the ashes from his pipe and began seriously to consider his position . Lights went out in the next house . Huge shadows appeared on the kitchen blind and the light gradually faded , to reappear triumphantly in the room above .