A quarter to twelve
Then he waited , and after a glance round to see that everything was straight , and the letter laid ready upon the table , he put out the candle . `` For the last time ! '' he said to himself , and a great sigh came unbidden from his breast . A quarter to twelve . Dexter waited till the last stroke on the bell was thrilling in the air before setting his cap on tightly , and passing one leg over the sill . He sat astride for a few moments , hesitating for the last time , and then passed the other leg , and lowered himself down till he hung by his hands , then twisted his legs about the rope , seized it with first one hand then the other , and hung by it with his whole weight , in the precarious position of one trusting to an old doubled clothes-line , suspended from a second-floor window . It was hard work that descent , for he could not slide on account of the knots ; and , to make his position more awkward , the rope began to untwist -- one line from the other , -- and , in consequence , as the boy descended slowly , he bore no small resemblance to a leg of mutton turning before a fire .