twelve o'clock
He is to think of it , and let me see him again . You hold your head up , Johnny , and remember that you sha n't want a friend on your side . Faint heart never won fair lady . '' At seven o'clock on the following morning Eames started on his return journey , and was at his desk at twelve o'clock , -- as per agreement with his taskmaster at the Income-tax Office . -LSB- ILLUSTRATION : -LRB- untitled -RRB- -RSB- I have said that John Eames was at his office punctually at twelve ; but an incident had happened before his arrival there very important in the annals which are now being told , -- so important that it is essentially necessary that it should be described with some minuteness of detail . Lord De Guest , in the various conversations which he had had with Eames as to Lily Dale and her present position , had always spoken of Crosbie with the most vehement abhorrence . `` He is a damned blackguard , '' said the earl , and the fire had come out of his round eyes as he spoke .