12 o'clock
`` What 's that for ? '' asked a young woman . `` That tells the time of day , '' answered her escort . `` But it 's after 12 o'clock by my watch and he struck it only eight times . '' `` Well , they -- ah -- they have a system of their own . It 's very complicated . '' `` Look at that crooked thing there , '' said one of the visitors , pointing to the air-tube leading to the stoker .