twenty-five past nine
Twenty minutes had now elapsed and no further message had been received . * * * * * Monsignor looked up at the Victorian clock over the carved mantelpiece and glanced at his host . The young man 's eyes met his own . `` It 's twenty-five past nine , '' said Lord Southminster . The Cardinal looked up . He had not spoken for three or four minutes , but otherwise had shown no signs of discomposure . `` And the last message was just after nine ? ''