ten minutes past twelve
`` You are sure that the clock was right ? '' `` Quite sure , sir ; I had put it right that same evening . '' `` Very well , then . Sir Terence called you at ten minutes past twelve . Pray continue . '' `` He gave me a letter addressed to the Commissary-general . ` Take that , ' says he , ` to the sergeant of the guard at once , and tell him to be sure that it is forwarded to the Commissary-General first thing in the morning . '