twenty minutes to two
The movements of that girl were so constantly suspicious . I threw off my evening clothes , and putting on a rough suit , an overcoat , and motor-cap , went down the back staircase and along to the garage , where , amid the coming and going of the cars of departing guests , I was able to run out without being noticed . Ten minutes later I was outside the town , and drawing up in the dark lonely road that leads across the plain for fifteen miles to quaint old Pisa , I got down and examined my tyres , pretending I had a puncture should anyone become too inquisitive . Glancing at my watch , I found it was already twenty minutes to two . The moon was overcast , and the atmosphere stifling and oppressive , precursory of a thunderstorm . Each minute seemed an hour . Indeed , I grew so nervous that I felt half inclined to escape upon the car .