a quarter to
eleven
He had intended to keep his marriage a secret , as did Willy Brookes , and for a moment the new danger thrilled him . It was intolerable to have to put up with this creature 's idle loquacity , but not wishing to offend him he endured it a little longer . When the clerk paused in his narrative of the four gentlemen who had stopped the car to have some refreshment , Frank made a resolute stand against any fresh developments of the story , and succeeded in extracting some particulars concerning the marriage laws . And within the next few days all formalities were completed , and Frank 's marriage fixed for the end of the week -- for Friday , at a quarter to eleven . He slept lightly that night , was out of bed before eight , and mistaking the time , arrived at the office a few minutes before ten . He met the old man in gray clothes in the passage , and this time he was not to be evaded . `` Are you the gentleman who 's come to be married by special license , sir ? ''