ten minutes before five
Everywhere else , except in Cyril 's domain , Pete dusted and swept and `` puttered '' to his heart 's content . William did not go to the office at all that day , and Bertram did not touch his brushes . Only Cyril attended to his usual work : practising for a coming concert , and correcting the proofs of his new book , `` Music in Russia . '' At ten minutes before five William , anxious-eyed and nervous , found himself at the North Station . Then , and not till then , did he draw a long breath of relief . `` There ! I think everything 's ready , '' he sighed to himself .