twenty-five minutes to seven
There were overwhelming forces about to take the field . France , England and the United States were combining against Séverac Bablon . It seemed that at Laurel Cottage he was like to meet his Waterloo . At twenty-five minutes to seven that evening a smart plain-clothes constable reported in Chief Inspector Sheffield 's room . `` Well , Dawson ? '' said the inspector , looking up from his writing . `` Laurel Cottage , Dulwich , was let by the Old College authorities , sir , to a Mr. Sanrack a month ago . ''