twenty minutes to three
His head drooped while he spoke ; he fell into thought as if he had been alone in the room . But the emissary from Tadmor , warned by the minute-hand on the watch , recalled his attention to passing events . `` You would do me a kindness , '' said Brother Bawkwell , producing a list of names and addresses , `` if you could put me in the way of finding the person named , eighth from the top . It 's getting on towards twenty minutes to three . '' The address thus pointed out was at no great distance , on the northern side of the Regent 's Park . Amelius , still silent and thoughtful , acted willingly as a guide . `` Please thank the Council for their kindness to me , '' he said , when they reached their destination .