seven minutes to one
His hand is on the latch , he enters stealthily , there is nothing to resist him . The little dog , Ringe , begins to bark sharp and loud , and Karen rouses , crying , `` John , is that you ? '' thinking the expected fishermen had returned . Louis seizes a chair and strikes at her in the dark ; the clock on a shelf above her head falls down with the jarring of the blow , and stops at exactly seven minutes to one . Maren , in the next room , waked suddenly from her sound sleep , trying in vain to make out the meaning of it all , cries , `` What 's the matter ? '' Karen answers , `` John scared me ! '' Maren springs from her bed and tries to open her chamber door ; Louis has fastened it on the other side by pushing a stick through over the latch .