a quarter to three
`` _ En avant ! _ '' He bounded in beside Mr. Greyne , the coachman cracked his whip , the horses trotted . They were off upon their terrible pilgrimage . On the following afternoon , at a quarter to three , when Mr. Greyne came down to breakfast , he found , lying beside the boiled eggs , a note directed to him in a feminine handwriting . He tote it open with trembling fingers , and read as follows : -- 1 Rue du Petit Neore . Dear Monsieur , -- I am here . Poor mamma is in the hospital .