twenty-five minutes past twelve
`` Perhaps the doctor would know . '' `` Oh ! '' said Rachel , `` Mrs. Tams said the hall clock had stopped ; that must have been when Mrs. Maldon knocked up against it . '' She went to the parlour door and opened it , displaying the hall clock , which showed twenty-five minutes past twelve . Louis had crept up behind Mr. Batchgrew , who in his inapposite white waistcoat stood between the two lovers , stertorous with vague anathema . `` So that was the time , '' said he . `` And th ' burglars must ha ' been and gone afore that .