twelve o'clock
`` Say , listen here , Sholy , '' Morris said , as they panted up the last flight , `` I came just as soon as I could , and I could n't come no sooner . '' `` Hats off ! '' the policeman at the door shouted , as Morris walked up the aisle with his attorney , and a moment later they passed into the enclosure for counsel . `` My client and his witnesses have been here since twelve o'clock , '' a lawyer was explaining while Morris sat down , `` and in the meantime his place of business has been closed . '' At this juncture the client in question caught sight of Morris and ripped out so strong an Italian expletive that the court interpreter nearly swooned . `` What business is he in ? '' the magistrate asked .