ten minutes after nine
Lockley , rather absurdly , felt uncomfortable because he was going to have to talk to Vale . He had nothing against the man , but Vale was , in a way , his rival although Jill did n't know of his folly and Vale could hardly guess it . He signed off to Sattell and swung the base line instrument to make a similar check with Vale . It was now ten minutes after nine . He aligned the instrument accurately , flipped the switch , and began to say as patiently as before , `` Calling Vale . Calling Vale . Lockley calling Vale .