A quarter to twelve
It was worse to miss everything now , than never to have had the hope of success . It was like hanging a man who had once been reprieved . He resumed his nervous pace up and down that chamber of torture . A quarter to twelve . He heard chimes ring somewhere . If the message did not come before they rang again , it would be for ever too late . Fourteen minutes -- thirteen minutes -- twelve minutes -- eleven minutes -- ten minutes to twelve , and yet , no -- ` Here you are ! '