6:32
Like the beating of a mighty heart heard through the rushing clamor of the pulses , a single deep-throated bell boomed solemnly six heavy , rumbling strokes . Six o'clock ! Kirkwood roused out of his dour brooding . The Amsterdam express would leave at 6:32 , and he knew not from what station . Striding swiftly across the promenade , he entered a small tobacco shop and made inquiry of the proprietress . His command of French was tolerable ; he experienced no difficulty in comprehending the good woman 's instructions . Trains for Amsterdam , she said , left from the Gare Centrale , a mile or so across the city .