twenty-nine minutes after ten
Interest in the sport was always high ; and to-night individual wagers as to the outcome sprang up around the table . `` Saumaise , '' said the vicomte , `` will you hold the watch ? '' `` With pleasure , Vicomte , '' accepting the vicomte 's handsome time-piece . `` Messieurs , it is now twenty-nine minutes after ten ; promptly at thirty I shall give the word , preceding it with a one-two-three . Are you ready ? '' The contestants nodded . Several seconds passed , in absolute silence .