a quarter to
three
`` At a quarter before three my brother and Mr. Bailey left the house , by the main entrance . I -- was -- there . '' `` Gertrude , '' I said excitedly , `` you are dreaming ! Why , at a quarter to three -- '' `` Listen , '' she said . `` At half-past two the downstairs telephone rang . I had not gone to sleep , and I heard it . Then I heard Halsey answer it , and in a few minutes he came up-stairs and knocked at my door .