a quarter to one
He looked at his watch , it was half-past twelve ; he glanced at the door , and thence at the cabinet in which he had placed the key ; then he turned hastily , and sate down again . He leaned his elbows on his knees , and his chin upon his clenched hand ; still he was restless and excited . Once more he arose , and paced up and down . He consulted his watch again ; it was now but a quarter to one . Sir Wynston 's man having received the letters , and his master 's permission to retire to rest , got into his bed , and was soon beginning to dose . We have already mentioned that his and Sir Wynston 's apartments were separated by a small dressing room , so that any ordinary noise or conversation could be heard but imperfectly from one to the other . The servant , however , was startled by a sound of something falling on the floor of his master 's apartment , and broken to pieces by the violence of the shock .