a quarter to eleven, and three
minutes later
But there were other reasons . The decision of the Court had come as an unexpected reprieve and the ruin of my friends ' prospects was at least postponed . Then , I had learned that Thorndyke was back from Bristol and wished me to look in on him ; and , finally , Miss Bellingham had agreed to spend this very afternoon with me , browsing round the galleries at the British Museum . I had disposed of my two patients by a quarter to eleven , and three minutes later was striding down Mitre Court , all agog to hear what Thorndyke had to say with reference to my notes on the inquest . The `` oak '' was open when I arrived at his chambers , and a modest flourish on the little brass knocker of the inner door was answered by my quondam teacher himself . `` How good of you , Berkeley , '' he said , shaking hands genially , `` to look me up so early . I am alone , just looking through the report of the evidence of yesterday 's proceedings . ''