Five o'clock
I said , for the turret clock , below the big bell , chimed . One , two -- three , four -- five , six -- seven , eight . Then a long pause . `` Five o'clock , '' whispered Mercer . _ Chang _ ! We waited as the stroke of the striking hammer rang out loudly , and we could hear the vibration of the bell quivering in the air . `` Well , go on , stupid , '' said Mercer at last .