twelve
o'clock
Then , though it was still early , he and his father drove to his office . There were already messages awaiting him , a dozen or more , to cancel or sell . While he was standing there a messenger-boy brought him three more . One was from Stener and said that he would be back by twelve o'clock , the very earliest he could make it . Cowperwood was relieved and yet distressed . He would need large sums of money to meet various loans before three . Every hour was precious .