ten minutes to
two
Monica and I got out to lighten the car , and Francis ran her in . But he had n't gone five yards before the car was bogged up to the axles . `` We 'll have to leave it , '' he said , jumping out . `` It 's ten minutes to two ... we have n't a second to lose . '' He pulled a cloth cap from the pocket of his military overcoat , then stripped off the coat , showing his ordinary clothes underneath , and very shiny black field-boots up to his knees . He put his helmet in the overcoat and made a roll of it , tucking it under his arm , and then donned his cap . `` Now , '' he said , `` We 'll have to run for it , Monica , I 'm afraid : we must reach our cover while the light lasts or I sha n't be able to find it and it will be dark in these woods in about two hours from now .