Seventeen minutes to seven
He was to meet the City Magistrate outside the jail and enter with him . He could gain admittance in no other way . He looked at his watch . Seventeen minutes to seven . Wellson should be there in a minute -- he had said , `` At the jail-entrance at 6.45 '' . God send him soon or the new-found self-control might weaken and a rising tide creep up and up until it submerged his will-power again . With an effort he swallowed , and turning , strode up and down on a rapid , mechanical sentry-go .