nearly a quarter before one
The rarefaction of the air was fast expanding the hydrogen in the balloon , and I saw its lower part , purposely left empty , swell out , so that it was absolutely necessary to open the valve ; but my companion did not seem to intend that I should manage the balloon as I wished . I then resolved to pull the valve cord secretly , as he was excitedly talking ; for I feared to guess with whom I had to deal . It would have been too horrible ! It was nearly a quarter before one . We had been gone forty minutes from Frankfort ; heavy clouds were coming against the wind from the south , and seemed about to burst upon us . `` Have you lost all hope of succeeding in your project ? '' I asked with anxious interest .