about three minutes to twelve
The dial was crowned by a glass pedestal placed on rock-work in carved ebony ; and on the top of the pedestal sat the inevitable figure of Time , with his everlasting scythe in his hand . Below the dial was a little platform , and at either end of it rose two miniature sentry-boxes , with closed doors . Externally , this was all that appeared , until the magic moment came when the clock struck twelve noon . It wanted then about three minutes to twelve ; and Major Milroy seized the opportunity of explaining what the exhibition was to be , before the exhibition began . `` At the first words , his mind fell back again into its old absorption over the one employment of his life . He turned to Midwinter -LRB- who had persisted in talking all the way from the parlor , and who was talking still -RRB- without a trace left in his manner of the cool and cutting composure with which he had spoken but a few minutes before . The noisy , familiar man , who had been an ill-bred intruder in the parlor , became a privileged guest in the workshop , for _ there _ he possessed the all-atoning social advantage of being new to the performances of the wonderful clock .