a quarter past nine
And then Jimmie Dale stopped suddenly , and began to retrace his steps . The group had entered the elevator , the bell boy had disappeared around the farther end of the hall into the wing of the hotel -- the corridor was empty . In a moment he was standing before the door of No. 148 ; in another , under the persuasion of a little steel instrument , deftly manipulated by Jimmie Dale 's slim , tapering fingers , the lock clicked back , the door opened , and he stepped inside , closing and locking the door again behind him . It was already a quarter past nine , but no one was as yet in the connecting room -- the fanlight next door had been dark as he passed . His flashlight swept about him , located the connecting door -- and went out . He moved to the door , tried it , and found it locked . Again the little steel instrument came into play , released the lock , and Jimmie Dale opened the door .