quarter to ten
she asked , politely . `` In Mr. Starkweather 's den , Miss , '' said the footman , being unable to leave his post at the moment . Mr. Lawdor was not in sight and Helen set out to find the room in question , wondering if the family had already breakfasted . The clock in the hall chimed the quarter to ten as she passed it . The great rooms on this floor were open now ; but empty . She suddenly heard voices . She found a cross passage that she had not noticed before , and entered it , the voices growing louder .