the hour of eight
Hadji Baba obeyed , and observed his two friends standing mute and motionless , like statues , ready at a moment 's notice to do their master 's bidding . `` Knowest thou these men ? '' asked the Dey . `` Your highness 's slave knows them but too well , '' replied Baba , with a well-feigned shudder , which changed into a real one on his observing that a gorgeous time-piece opposite pointed to the hour of eight . `` Proceed , then , and acquit thee well , else thou shalt come to know them still better ere long . '' Thus admonished , the story-teller cleared his throat , wished intensely for a draught of water , and taxed his fertile brain to the uttermost . At last under a feeling of absolute desperation , he began -- `` Once upon a time -- '' The Dey nodded , as though he thought that not a bad beginning .