ten o'clock precisely
But it was a man 's voice , sir . '' `` All right , '' said Mr. Crewe . He spent much of the afternoon and evening debating whether or not his dignity would permit him to go . But he ordered the motor at half-past nine , and at ten o'clock precisely the clerk at the Ripton House was bowing to him and handing him , deferentially , a dripping pen . `` Where 's room number twelve ? '' said the direct Mr. Crewe . `` Oh , '' said the clerk , and possessing a full share of the worldly wisdom of his calling , he smiled broadly .