five minutes to four
We halted to look at the little image , and at that moment the side door opened , and a woman came out on to the doorstop , where she stood gazing up and down the street . Thorndyke immediately crossed the pavement , and addressed her , apparently with some question , for I heard her answer presently : `` A quarter-past six is his time , sir , and he is generally punctual to the minute . '' `` Thank you , '' said Thorndyke ; `` I 'll bear that in mind ; '' and , lifting his hat , he walked on briskly , turning presently up a side-street which brought us out into Aldgate . It was now but five minutes to four , so we strode off quickly to keep our tryst at the mortuary ; but although we arrived at the gate as the hour was striking , when we entered the building we found Dr. Davidson hanging up his apron and preparing to depart . `` Sorry I could n't wait for you , '' he said , with no great show of sincerity , `` but a _ post-mortem _ is a mere farce in a case like this ; you have seen all that there was to see . However , there is the body ; Hart has n't closed it up yet . '' With this and a curt `` good-afternoon '' he departed .