one o'clock
With a dictograph we can get every word that 's said . We can bring a shorthand reporter with us and get it down in black and white . In the meantime we 'll wait here and see them when they come out . '' Shortly before one o'clock they heard footsteps that told them Gibson and Cummings were returning from their conference . Directly opposite the aperture between the two buildings , where they were hiding , the taller of the two figures stopped and striking a match held the flame , cupped in his two hands , to the end of a cigar . The light of the match flickered only for a second , but in that time John and Brennan saw Gibson 's face clearly . Tossing the burned match to the ground he quickened his steps until he was again at Cummings ' side and they went from sight around the corner .