quarter past four
`` Yes , sir , I 'm very nearly certain . You see , sir , when the two gentlemen went through the yard , the cathedral clock was chiming the quarter after four ; I remember that . And when Mr. Dunbar came back , I was just going away to my tea , and I seldom go to my tea until it 's gone five . '' `` But supposing it to have struck five when Mr. Dunbar returned , that would only make it three quarters of an hour after the time at which he went through the yard , supposing him to have gone through , as you say , at the quarter past four . '' The verger scratched his head again . `` I 'd been loiterin ' about yesterday afternoon , sir , '' he said ; `` and I was a bit late thinkin ' of my tea . '' `` And you believe , therefore , that Mr. Dunbar was absent for an hour ? ''