twelve o'clock
The little man looked from one to the other . He might add an action for assault and battery to the claim , but that would delay its collection . `` Then at TWELVE o'clock , to-morrow , Mr. Temple , '' he purred blandly . `` At twelve o'clock ! '' repeated St. George coldly , wondering which end of the intruder he would grapple when he threw him through the front door and down the front steps . `` I will be here on the stroke of the clock , sir -- on the STROKE , '' and Gadgem slunk out . For some minutes St. George continued to walk up and down the room , stooping once in a while to caress the setter ; dry-washing his hands ; tapping his well-cut waistcoat with his shapely fingers , his thumbs in the arm-holes ; halting now and then to stretch himself to the full height of his body .