five minutes past twelve
His father was out , as was Garret Jackson , the engineer ; and Mrs. Baggert , the housekeeper , was entertaining a lady in the sitting-room , so , as Tom was rather tired , he went directly to his own room , and , a little later got into bed . It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a rattling on the window of his room . The reason he was able to fix the time so accurately was because as soon as he awakened he pressed a little electric button , and it illuminated the face of a small clock on his bureau . The hands pointed to five minutes past twelve . `` Humph ! That sounds like hail ! '' exclaimed Tom , as he arose , and looked out of the casement .