twenty minutes to nine
On the most favourable computation our friend can scarcely have reached America . I do not expect him for the next twenty days , and my Lord Albemarle will lose his five thousand pounds . '' `` Then we have nothing to do , '' replied Ralph , `` but to present his cheque at Baring 's to-morrow . '' The hands of the clock were then pointing to twenty minutes to nine . `` Five minutes more , '' said Stuart . The five friends looked at each other . One could almost hear their hearts beating , for it must be confessed that even for such seasoned players the stakes were pretty high , but they did not wish their anxiety to be remarked , and on Fallentin 's suggestion they sat down to whist .