a quarter to twelve
A blob of foam appeared upon his under-lip . He waved his hands , thick , short-fingered , clammy members ... `` My story is as follows , sir ... '' `` I shall have pleasure in listening to it , Mr. Brooker , on condition that you will do me first the favour of listening to a story of mine ? '' Deferred Brooker protested willingness . `` Last night , Mr. Brooker , at about eleven-thirty to a quarter to twelve , I was returning from a little tour of inspection '' -- the slight riding sjambok the Chief carried pointed over the veld to the northward -- `` out there , when , passing the south angle of the enclosure of the Convent , where , by my special orders , a double sentry of the Town Guard had been posted , I heard a sound that I will endeavour to reproduce : '' _ Gr ` rumph ! Honk ` k ! Gr ` rumph ! _ '' Brooker bounded in his Oxford shoes .