a quarter to ten
Then came a roar , as of some mighty blast beating down upon the frozen earth , followed by a lifting , rushing sensation -- and they were flung violently to the flooring . The pressure ceased in a moment , however , to be supplanted by a buoyant , exhilarating sense of flight . It increased , and they judged they must be traveling at great speed . Glancing at the luminous dial of his watch , Professor Prescott saw that it was a quarter to ten . `` Well , we 're off ! '' he whispered . `` And where , would you guess , are we headed ? ''