quarter past five
The broad expanse of the AUGUSTUSPLATZ facing the theatre was bare and sunny . A policeman arrived , and ordered the queue in a straighter line ; then he strolled up and down , stroking and smoothing his white gloves . More people came hurrying over the square to the theatre , and ranged themselves at the end of the tail . As the hands of the big clock on the post-office neared the quarter past five , a kind of tremor ran through the waiting line ; it gathered itself more compactly together . One clock after another boomed the single stroke ; sounds came from within the building ; the burly policeman placed himself at the head of the line . There was a noise of drawn bolts and grating locks , and after a moment 's suspense , light shone out and the big door was flung open . `` Gent -- ly ! ''