forty-nine minutes past eight
Above all , he could see pretty well by means of this pole and its shadow when the sun attained its greatest elevation . He now asked Miss Rolleston to assist him in making this observation exactly . She obeyed his instructions , and the moment the shadow reached its highest angle , and showed the minutest symptom of declension , she said , `` Now , '' and Hazel called out in a loud voice : `` Noon ! '' `` And forty-nine minutes past eight at Sydney , '' said Helen , holding out her chronometer ; for she had been sharp enough to get it ready of her own accord . Hazel looked at her and at the watch with amazement and incredulity . `` What ? '' said he .