five minutes to eight
Between seven and eight next morning , he presented himself again at the office . He found the notary ready for him , at work on some papers which had come in on the previous evening . In a few clear words , Maitre Voigt explained the routine of the office , and the duties Obenreizer would be expected to perform . It still wanted five minutes to eight , when the preliminary instructions were declared to be complete . `` I will show you over the house and the offices , '' said Maitre Voigt , `` but I must put away these papers first . They come from the municipal authorities , and they must be taken special care of . '' Obenreizer saw his chance , here , of finding out the repository in which his employer 's private papers were kept .