Twelve o'clock
`` Yes , '' said Joyce , with a grin ; `` there ai n't so many of my pattern . I 'll take a glass of rum for the good of the house ; and if you can lend me a paper , I 'll skim the news of the day while I 'm waiting . '' Joyce passed into the little room , where Dennis took him the newspaper and the rum . Twelve o'clock struck , and the clerk began to watch and to listen for the opening of the door , or the sound of a footstep in the passage outside . The time seemed very long to him , watching and listening . The minute-hand of the Dutch clock moved slowly on . He turned every now and then towards the dusky corner where the clock hung , to see what progress that slow hand had made upon the discoloured dial .