twenty minutes past nine
Bernenstein turned and shot like an arrow along the terrace towards the stables . `` Nothing is altered , madam , '' said Sapt , `` except that we must be there before Count Rupert . '' I looked at my watch . It was twenty minutes past nine . Simon 's cursed chatter had lost a quarter of an hour . I opened my lips to speak . A glance from Sapt 's eyes told me that he discerned what I was about to say .