a quarter to nine o'clock
Read by the light of the pocket-lantern which he carried with him , the letter first congratulated this person on the complete success of his disguise -- and then promised that the writer would be ready at her bedroom window for flight the next morning , before the house was astir . The signature was `` Natalie , '' and the person addressed was `` Dearest Launce . '' In the meanwhile , Turlington barred the window shutters of the room , and looked at his watch . It wanted only a quarter to nine o'clock . He took his dog-whistle from the chimney-piece , and turned his steps at once in the direction of the drawing-room , in which his guests were passing the evening . TWELFTH SCENE . Inside the House .