five minutes to twelve
It already pointed to after midnight . His face turned red and the veins in his forehead swelled . `` To hell with peace ! '' he bellowed , turning back his watch until the minute hand pointed to five minutes to twelve . `` To hell with peace , I say ! Press the button , Von Heckmann ! '' But in spite of the agony of disappointment which he now acutely experienced , Von Heckmann did not fire .