one o’clock
In case of any uncertainty about which power is the higher , the police occupy the uncomfortable position of neutrals . The sergeant was not quite sure whether Sir Timothy or Mr. Courtney were the more influential man . He answered cautiously . `` There 's some , '' he said , `` who do be saying that it 's one o'clock at the present time . There 's others -- and I 'm not saying they 're wrong -- who are of opinion that it 's half-past twelve , or about that . There 's them -- and some of the most respectable people is with them there -- that says it 's 2 p.m. . If I was to be put on my oath this minute , I 'd find it mortal hard to say what time it was . ''