a quarter to four
` You are feeling uncomfortable , my friend , ' was my comment . Suddenly he threw back his head -- I saw the dent of it -- and spoke up so that I could not miss a word . ` Very well , sir , you shall see them at supper to-night ; I will ask them both . ' -LRB- You will not be surprised to learn that I instantly looked at my watch -- though it takes long to write what I have described -- but the time was only a quarter to four . -RRB- He added something about the fog , and his chair creaked . Ducking promptly I heard the curtain-rings jar , and : ` Thick as ever . ' ` Your report , Herr Dollmann , ' said Böhme , curtly .