noon
`` The fact is , your honour , it is mine , '' replied the clerk . `` My dear Mr. Oysterpuff , how can you expect a judge to administer justice in a clerk 's wig ? '' The exchange was made . All this time Passe-partout was boiling over with impatience , for the hands of the clock were getting on terribly fast towards noon . `` Now , then , the first case , '' said the judge . `` Phileas Fogg , '' called out the clerk . `` Here I am . ''