ten minutes past two
Mazeroux said : `` It is a good thing that the explosion is due in ten days ' time and not to-night , Monsieur le Préfet ; otherwise , all those good people would be in danger as well as ourselves . '' `` There will be no explosion in ten days ' time , any more than there will be a letter to-night , '' said M. Desmalions , shrugging his shoulders . And he added , `` Besides , on that day , the orders will be strict . '' It was now ten minutes past two . At twenty-five minutes past , as the Prefect was lighting a cigar , the chief detective ventured to joke : `` That 's something you will have to do without , next time , Monsieur le Préfet . It would be too risky . '' `` Next time , '' said M. Desmalions , `` I shall not waste time in keeping watch .