Ten minutes after eleven
Eleven o'clock came and found him still pacing up and down the office of the telegraph . The operator offered him the hospitality of the private room , but this he declined . Every time the machine clicked , John 's ears were on the alert , trying to catch a meaning from the instrument . Ten minutes after eleven ! Twenty minutes after eleven , and still no despatch ! The cold perspiration stood on John 's brow , and he groaned aloud . ` I suppose it 's very important , ' said the operator . '