twelve o'clock
He began at once his preparations for the journey , and was nearly ready when a servant entered with a telegram . Randolph 's heart leaped . The captain had sent him news -- perhaps had changed his mind ! He tore off the yellow cover , and read , -- Sir William died at twelve o'clock without recovering consciousness . S. EVERSLEIGH . For a moment Randolph gazed at the dispatch with a half-hysterical laugh , and then became as suddenly sane and cool . One thought alone was uppermost in his mind : the captain could not have heard this news yet , and if he was still within reach , or accessible by any means whatever , however determined his purpose , he must know it at once .