a quarter to eleven o’clock
Let us rather gladly consent to be crushed into indistinguishable dust , with no hope of record : rejoicing only if some infinitesimal portion of the good work may be achieved by our obliteration , and content to be remembered only in that anthem which in the future it will be ordained shall be sung in our religious services in honour of all holy apostles and martyrs who have left no name . The night before the special meeting a gentleman in a blue cloak , and with a cigar in his mouth , sauntered past the entrance to Carter 's Rents , where Mr. Secretary lived . It was getting late , but he was evidently not in a hurry , and seemed to enjoy the coolness of the air , for presently he turned and walked past the entrance again . He took out his watch -- it was a quarter to eleven o'clock -- and he cursed Mr. Secretary and the beer-shops which had probably detained him . A constable came by , but never showed himself in the least degree inquisitive ; although it was odd that anybody should select Carter 's Rents for a stroll . Presently Mr. Secretary came in sight , a trifle , but not much , the worse for liquor . It was odd , also , that he took no notice of the blue cloak and cigar , but went straight to his own lodging .