twelve
o'clock
The journey to Rangoon was now likely to be accomplished , thanks to the Chinese Monster . When Douglas picked it off the cobble stones , from among coarse common crockery , how little he dreamed what a factor this figure would prove in his future -- it had been the means of shaping his destiny ! On Friday morning he sent in a formal acceptance of Mr. Martin 's offer and , having obtained leave , hurried away to the Caledonian Market , in search of the old rag and bottle female . It was half-past twelve o'clock when he arrived , he was late , and her pitch was empty . Had she departed already ? On inquiry he was informed that old Mother Doake had departed for good -- was , in fact , dead ! `` Yes , she were run over by a motor-trolley ten days ago , '' announced the woman in the next stall ; `` she was terribly old and blind and a real wicked miser .