twenty-five minutes past four
He chuckled to himself as he spoke , his eyes twinkled , and he seemed a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night . As I dressed I glanced at my watch . It was no wonder that no one was stirring . It was twenty-five minutes past four . I had hardly finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was putting in the horse . `` I want to test a little theory of mine , '' said he , pulling on his boots . `` I think , Watson , that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe .