a quarter before
four
I insist that you shall accept a formal acknowledgment of the debt . '' And he wrote : `` I , the undersigned , acknowledge that I owe to Monsieur Paul Landry the sum of four hundred thousand francs , which I promise to pay in thirty days , counting from this date . '' He dated , signed , and folded the paper , and handed it to Paul Landry . Then , glancing at the clock , whose hands pointed to a quarter before four , he said : `` Permit me to take leave of you , gentlemen . I have barely time to reach Vincennes before roll-call . '' He lighted a cigar , saluted the astonished assembly with perfect coolness , slowly descended the stairs , and jumped into his carriage , the chasseur of the restaurant holding open the door for him . `` To Vincennes ! ''