“But I haven’t had sleep enough,” I grumbled, “and I don’t believe it’s twelve o’clock yet. Look at the stars shining.”
“Well, they always do shine, don’t they? What’s that got to do with it?”
“But it isn’t daylight, and we were not to go to Lomax till five.”
“By the time we’re washed and dressed, the sun will be up, and then there won’t be any waiting.”
“Hark!” I said, for the turret clock, below the big bell, chimed.
One, two—three, four—five, six—seven, eight.
Then a long pause.
“Five o’clock,” whispered Mercer.
Chang!
We waited as the stroke of the striking hammer rang out loudly, and we could hear the vibration of the bell quivering in the air.