eight minutes to eight
His muttered comment upon one of his and Beverley 's guests , whom he supposed the intruder to be , was far from flattering . Perhaps , however , it would be well not to find his wife alone . He would give Beverley a few minutes more , to be sure that her dress was on , before he went to interrupt the chorus of mutual admiration ; but no woman 's presence should prevent him from asking the question he meant to ask -- `` Where are your pearls ? '' At exactly eight minutes to eight Roger ceased his restless tramp up and down the room , and stopped again at the door . Before he could open it , however , there was a light tap -- a tap like Beverley 's in happier days . `` Can she mean , after all , to tell me the truth ? '' he wondered ; and he heard his voice saying mechanically , `` Come in . ''