A quarter after three
For a moment he looked steadily at her , and his heart leaped when he saw that she must believe him , for though her face was as white as an ivory cross she was smiling at him -- yes ! she was smiling at him in that gray and ghastly death-gloom of the cavern ! He brought out his watch , and in the lantern-glow they looked at it . `` A quarter after three , '' he said . `` By four o'clock they will be at work -- Blackton and twenty men . They will have us out in time for supper . '' `` A quarter after three , '' repeated Joanne , and the words came steadily from her lips .