ten o'clock
On reaching the front door the collector stopped and looked furtively up the stairs . He was wondering with professional caution whether St. George had returned and was within hearing distance . If so much as a hint should reach Temple 's ears the whole scheme would come to naught . Still in doubt , he called out in his sharpest business voice , as if prolonging a conversation which had been carried on inside : `` Yes , Mr. Pawson , please say to Mr. Temple that it is GADgem , of GADgem & Coombs -- and say that I will be here at ten o'clock to-morrow -- sharp -- on the minute ; I am ALways on the minute in matters of this kind . Only five minutes of his time -- five minutes , remember -- '' and he passed out of hearing . Todd , now duly installed as co-conspirator , opened the ball the next morning at breakfast . St. George had slept late , and the hands of the marble clock marked but a few minutes of the hour of Gadgem 's expected arrival , and not a moment could be lost .