a quarter to
one
But other followers were needed at once . `` That man must be caught at any cost , Loring , '' said the colonel . `` No one begins to know the extent of his rascalities , and you and Blake must catch him . '' For answer the engineer took out his watch -- it was just a quarter to one -- stepped out into the glare of the sunshine and gazed to the far horizon . The plain to the east was flat as a board for many a mile and well nigh as barren . Then he turned sharply on Sancho . `` Dinner ready ? ''