one minute before nine
That , Rick pointed out , was the prize-winning question . `` All we can do is keep an eye open for the projector beam . '' `` Both eyes , '' Scotty corrected . It was one minute before nine when they arrived at the mine entrance . The Sons of the Old Dominion were still eating , but there was a lack of noise or joyousness that made Rick aware that the Sons knew about the ghost . He saw groups facing the place where the ghost would appear . The boys were in front of the mine entrance .