three minutes to eight o'clock
He heard the murmur of voices in the drawing-room , and the sympathetic tones of the women who were pitying the men . Van Bibber pulled on his overshoes and a great-coat that covered him from his ears to his ankles , and dashed out into the snow . The dog had just enough spirit left to try and dodge him , and with a leap to one side went off again across the lawn . It was , as Van Bibber knew , but three minutes to eight o'clock , and have the dog he must and would . The collie sprang first to one side and then to the other , and snarled and snapped ; but Van Bibber was keen with the excitement of the chase , so he plunged forward recklessly and tackled the dog around the body , and they both rolled over and over together . Then Van Bibber scrambled to his feet and dashed up the steps and into the drawing-room just as the people were in line for dinner , and while the minute-hand stood at a minute to eight o'clock . `` How is this ? ''