ten minutes to eight
`` He 'll put the derailer on the track so as to throw the cars over to the other side in that ditch . '' He squatted down behind the clump of bushes and the others followed his example . John looked at his watch . It was ten minutes to eight . `` It 's due here at 8:18 , '' said the detective . `` I 'd give ten years of my bright young life for a cigarette , '' said Brennan , sighing heavily . The detective produced a thick moist plug of chewing tobacco , gnawed at the corners .