a quarter to one
`` 5 . Memorize these documents and burn the lot before you leave the house . '' `` Handy fellow , Mr. Elias , '' was Desmond 's commentary , as he sprang out of bed and made for the bathroom . At a quarter to one he was ready dressed , feeling very scratchy and uncomfortable about the beard which he had not dared to remove owing to Nur-el-Din 's presence in the house . Before he left the bedroom , he paused a moment at the desk , the documents of the Bellward case in his hands . He had a singularly retentive memory , and he was loth to have these compromising papers in the house whilst Nur-el-Din was there . He took a quick decision and pitched the whole lot into the fire , retaining only the annotated list of Mr. Bellward 's friends .