A quarter before six
`` I believe I can manage it . '' `` Well , '' he said , `` I wish you good luck , '' but his tone clearly showed that he did not expect it . However , it was useless being alarmed ; so , putting a bold face on the matter , I made friends with the horses , fed and watered them myself , and spent all the afternoon with them . A quarter before six I had them put to , and , mounting the box , drove the carriage -- a private one borrowed for the occasion -- slowly round to the appointed place . It still wanted a few minutes to six when the bells of the city churches clanged forth in thunderous peals , and , though ignorant of the cause , I felt somewhat alarmed . `` That will be awkward for our plan , '' I muttered . `` There is a tumult of some sort going on , and the streets will be crowded .