Tom held his breath.

But the policeman, although he undoubtedly followed the youth with his gaze for a moment, failed to act, and Tom was not a little relieved.

Even if the fellow was a crook he seemed an awfully decent sort and Tom was glad he hadn't been arrested.
It was getting perilously near a quarter to four now and still Steve had not returned.

Tom watched the long hand crawl toward the figure IX, saw it reach it and pass.

He would, he decided then, give Steve another five minutes.