three minutes to twelve
Singularly enough , from drowning . In other words , I , a very mediocre scribbler , had effected seven times in a single month what the powers of the universe could not manage once , even on the smallest scale . I was a little annoyed with the powers of the universe . * * * * * It was at precisely three minutes to twelve -- for I had just consulted my watch -- that the great idea surged into my brain . At four minutes to twelve I had been grumbling impotently at Providence . By two minutes to twelve I had determined upon a manly and independent course of action . Briefly , it was this .