Anybody know the correct citation/full quotation about the 13th stroke of a clock not only being in error but also casting doubt on the previous 12?

A.P. Herbert's [1890–1971] line: "This last argument is like the thirteenth stroke of the clock: clearly wrong, and casting doubt on the preceding twelve."

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) :
"This supreme instance of Troy's goodness fell upon Gabriel's ears like the thirteenth stroke of a crazy clock. It was not only received with utter incredulity as regarded itself, but threw a doubt on all the assurances that had preceded it." Far from the Madding Crowd, Chap. 29

"It is more trouble to make a maxim than it is to do right." -Mark Twain

Well you pitched us an interesting question and our Pooh Bah tsuwm stepped to the plate and hit it out of the park.
Welcome to the game, Casey Canada and enjoy the fun!

NO this is NOT a sports thread .. but who could resist carrying on the metaphor when you start with Casey up to bat?

Searched all my reference books, local library etc. etc. then it took only 20 minutes for tsuwm ( Pooh-Bah) to solve my dilemma. Congrats!

Did anyone else experience deja vu when they saw this?

it took only 20 minutes for tsuwm

They don't call him tsuwm for nothing.

Dear tsuwm: I am impressed by your achievement in locating the "thirteenth stroke" quote.

Faldage— Am I missing the joke? What does "tsuwm" mean? Please clarify for us uninitiated.

"tsuwm" could be an acronym for "the supreme understander of word meanings." But I don't know what it really means.

I'm pretty sure that it means The Supreme Universal Word Master.

>The Supreme Universal Word Master

close, but no locofoco; the supreme universal wwftd master. wwftd?
http://members.aol.com/tsuwm/disclaim.htm

Worthless word for the day.

They don't call him tsuwm for nothing.

You mean some people have to pay?

No, he pays some people to call him tsuwm .

This post is in no way intended to give any personal offence and does not constitute any venting of spleen, bitterness or other unboardworthy feelings.
Bingley

and everyone else pays him exactly what the word is worth

idem, and what's more it doesn't mention a single one of the forbidden topics like sport - oh bugger!