the hour of eleven
As he proceeded , he was startled to note , now that he made his first conscious effort to review the weird recital of the Sepoy , just how vividly the incidents presented themselves . Aside from the phraseology , he recounted , in precise order , the incredible incidents , and by the time he had reached the climax in the first division of his effort his hearers were interested enough to hasten through a light meal , which , at the suggestion of Gratz , had been sent to the room they occupied . With something of the calculation of the Sepoy , or remembering , perhaps , the effect which his abrupt terminations had upon him , Raikes contrived his irritating pauses with remorseless enjoyment and the ostensible purpose of stimulating his sorely taxed energies with draughts of brandy and water . In this way Raikes consumed the time until the hour of eleven , which enabled him to develop the narrative to the point at which the Sepoy had concluded . `` And now , '' exclaimed Raikes with unmistakable relief , as he signified that his hearers were in possession of all he knew , `` and now will you kindly tell me what you expect to gain by this tedious task you have imposed upon me ? '' Gratz did not reply at once , but after a few moments of reflection , he asked , apparently ignoring the question of the narrator : `` Will you give me the keys of this building you occupy , and indicate to me the means of rummaging about the other building on the opposite side of the wall ? '' `` If it is necessary , '' replied Raikes with grudging assent .