twelve o'clock
demanded the prisoner , irritably . Instead of answering , the guard proceeded to unlock the second or grated door , stepping inside the cell a moment later . Smothering an exclamation , Lorry jerked out his watch and then sprang to his feet , intensely excited . It was just twelve o'clock , and he remembered now that she had said a guard would come to him at that hour . Was this the man ? Was the plan to be carried out ? The two men stood staring at each other for a moment or two , one in the agony of doubt and suspense , the other quizzically .