ten minutes past ten o'clock
As he settled back in his chair he passed his hand nervously over his mouth , as if his lips were dry . Cartwright 's manner to this witness was the manner of a lackey who hangs on every syllable that falls from his master 's lips . `` At what time , Mr. Tilden , did your son Bud reach your house on the night of the robbery ? '' The old man cleared his throat and said , as if weighing each word : `` At ten minutes past ten o'clock . '' `` How do you fix the time ? '' `` I had just wound the clock when Bud come in . '' `` How , Mr. Tilden , how far is it to the cross-roads where the mail-carrier says he was robbed ? ''