ten minutes to ten
Then he walked across to the window and looked out ; he could not himself be seen from the street , and nobody was visible at the windows opposite . Men and women passed to and fro on their daily labors or pleasures ; there was no unusual stir in the city . Looking over the roofs , Rupert could see the royal standard floating in the wind over the palace and the barracks . He took out his watch ; Rischenheim imitated his action ; it was ten minutes to ten . `` Rischenheim , '' he called , `` come here a moment . Here -- look out . '' Rischenheim obeyed , and Rupert let him look for a minute or two before speaking again .