a quarter past five
Even the preceedings , the involved and ridiculous proceedings of his divorce , amused him . It was undeniably funny that he should be supposed to have deserted Desmond . Frances wondered , again , whether Nicky really had any feelings , and whether things really made any impression on him . It was a quarter past five on a fine morning , early in July . On the stroke of the quarter Captain Frank Drayton 's motor-car , after exceeding the speed limit along the forlorn highway of the Caledonian Road , drew up outside the main entrance of Holloway Gaol . Captain Frank Drayton was alone in his motor-car . He had the street all to himself till twenty past five , when he was joined by another motorist , also conspicuously alone in his car .