a few minutes before half past two
There he waited , and minutes were eternities . He saw no person near him ; he heard no sound . He was insulated in his unnatural strain . At a few minutes before half past two a dark , compact body of horsemen appeared far down , turning into the road . They came at a sharp trot -- a group that would have attracted attention anywhere at any time . They came a little faster as they entered town ; then faster still ; now they were four blocks away , now three , now two . Duane backed down the middle of the vestibule , up the steps , and halted in the center of the wide doorway .