A quarter to nine
The detective accepted his refusal with one of the awkward bows . `` Regarding your protection to-night , sir , '' he said , standing up and buttoning his coat , `` there are six men on special duty round the house , and no one can possibly get in unseen . '' The Home Secretary , smiling , glanced at his watch . `` A quarter to nine ! '' he said . `` He has fifteen minutes in which to make good his bluff . But I do not fear interruption . ''