quarter after midnight
`` If this boy dares to speak another word , ram a gag in his mouth . -- No , not yet . -- Here , bring him up to the gate . '' Roy was half pushed and dragged to the great archway , and , as he reached it , the clock chimed the quarter after midnight . `` Now , general , '' cried Pawson , `` we 'll have them out . It 's not worth while to waste good men 's lives to tear a set of mad rats out of their hole . '' `` Well , get them out , '' said the same commanding voice , and in the officer a short distance from him , Roy recognised the one he had met with the flag of truce .