Datasets:

gutenberg_time

like 5

28357

12

midday

`` Well , you can begin to-morrow . I believe there are some blasting-tools in the store . Take the gunner with you ; this work comes within his province . '' On the following morning the raft went off again , and at midday a number of sharp explosions told that the work was begun . In the evening another series of shots were fired , and the party returned with the news that the ground had been broken up to the depth of two feet and of ample size to give the men cover . The next morning the rocks were cleared out , and a seven-pounder and carriage , with tackle for hoisting it up , were sent over . In the afternoon the captain went in the dug-out and inspected the work , and expressed himself as thoroughly satisfied with it .

28357

17

five o’clock in the afternoon

Can I have three months from the present time ? '' `` Certainly , and I hope you will be able to make good use of it . '' Returning to his ship , Will at once made out the list of the stores he required , and sent Harman on shore with it , telling him to take two boats and bring everything back with him . At five o'clock in the afternoon the two boats returned , carrying all the stores required . The water-tanks had already been filled up , and a quarter of an hour later the cutter was under sail and leaving the harbour . Will , of course , had nothing whatever to guide him in his search for the schooner beyond the fact that she was heading west at the time when he last saw her . At that time they were to the south of Porto Rico , so he concluded that she was making for Cuba .

28357

0

midnight

The streets occupied by the dwellings of well-to-do inhabitants had , for the most part , escaped , but in the suburbs , where the poorer part of the population dwelt , the havoc was something terrible . Parties of soldiers and sailors were hard at work here , clearing the ruins away and bringing out the dead and injured . Will , after saying good-bye to his friends at their door , joined one of these parties , and until late at night laboured by torchlight . At midnight he went to Mr. Palethorpe 's house , to which he had promised to return , and slept till morning . Two long days were occupied in this work , and even then there was much to be done in the way of clearing the streets of the debris and restoring order . Not until this was finished did Will cease from his labours . He then drove up with Mr. Palethorpe to his estate .

28357

8

eight o’clock

`` Yes , John , this is a short visit . I have only four days , and am staying with Miss Warden ; that is to say , Miss Warden that was . I must go in and see her father for a few minutes . We 'll have plenty of time to talk over everything before I leave , which I wo n't do till eight o'clock . I do n't suppose you have much to tell me , for there are not many changes in a place like this . This man , perhaps , has lost his boat , and that one his life , but that is about all . Now I have gone through a big lot , and have many adventures to tell you . ''

28357

7

seven o’clock

One small cargo had been run , but the revenue people were so sharp that the French lugger had given up making the village a landing-place . John Mugby and his two sons had been drowned , and John Hawkins 's boat had been smashed up . As a result of the decline of smuggling there had been a revulsion of the feeling against Will , and the four men who had been the ringleaders in the movement had made themselves so generally obnoxious that they had had to leave the village . At seven o'clock Will said : `` Now , father , I must be moving . Here are fifty guineas . They will last you for nearly a year . I 'll hand another fifty to Mr. Archer , and ask him to send you twenty pounds at a time .

28357

12

twelve o’clock

`` They had better not strike me , '' Dimchurch said ; `` the man that did it would never live to strike another . '' `` That might be , '' Will said , `` but it would be a small satisfaction to you if you were to be flogged to death afterwards . '' `` No , I suppose not , sir ; but flesh and blood ca n't stand such a thing as being struck by one of these yellow hounds . '' At twelve o'clock the gang returned , and the men drank eagerly from a fountain in the courtyard of the prison . `` Take as little as you can , '' Will said ; `` if you drink much it will do you harm . You can drink often if you like , provided that you only take a sip at a time . '' `` It is easy to say , Mr. Gilmore , but it is not so easy to do .

28357

12

twelve o’clock

By night the wind was blowing fiercely and the sea rapidly rising . The sails were closely reefed , and even then they felt with pleasure that the little craft was making good way . The wind increased during the night , and was blowing a gale by morning . Just at twelve o'clock a craft was seen approaching which all were convinced was an Algerine . She changed her course at once and bore down upon them , firing a gun as a signal for them to stop . `` She is rather faster than we are , '' Dimchurch said , `` but we 'll lead her a good dance before she gets hold of us . She could not work her guns in this sea , and if she is the faster , at least we are the handier . ''

28357

12

about twelve o’clock

If the current has not carried us a good deal farther than we imagine , five or six hours ought to take us there . '' The hours passed slowly . Sometimes the men had to row some distance seaward to avoid projecting headlands . At last , however , about twelve o'clock , Will exclaimed : `` I hear a ripple , sir , like the water against the bow of a ship . '' `` Easy all ! '' Nelson said at once . The order was obeyed , and all listened intently .

28357

4

four o’clock

Still D'Aubant remained inactive . The sailors , fired with indignation , worked even harder than before . Nelson now felt confident of success . He predicted that the place would fall between the 11th and 17th of May , and his prediction was fulfilled almost to the letter , for at four o'clock on the afternoon of the 11th a boat came out from the town to the _ Victory _ offering to surrender . That afternoon , General D'Aubant , having received some reinforcements from Gibraltar , arrived from San Fiorenzo only to find that the work he had pronounced impracticable had been done without his assistance . Will had spent the whole of his time during the siege on shore . He had laboured incessantly in getting the guns up to their positions , and had been placed in command of one of the batteries .

28357

3

three o’clock

Howe signalled to prepare for battle , and having come on to the same tack as the French , stood towards them , having them on his weather quarter . Soon , however , the French tacked and seemed to retreat . A general chase was ordered , and the English ships went off in pursuit under full sail . Between two and three o'clock the _ Russell _ , which was the fastest of the seventy-fours , began to exchange shots with the French , and towards evening another seventy-four , the _ Bellerophon _ , began a close action with the _ Révolutionnaire _ , one hundred and ten guns . The _ Bellerophon _ soon lost her main top-mast , and dropped back ; but the fight with the great ship was taken up , first by the _ Leviathan _ and afterwards by the _ Audacious _ , both seventy-fours , which , supported by two others , fought her for three hours . By that time the _ Révolutionnaire _ had a mast carried away and great damage done to her yards , and had lost four hundred men . When darkness fell she was a complete wreck , and it was confidently expected that in the morning she would fall into our hands .

28357

0

about midnight

There was one especially , on one of the Isles d'Hyères , which the _ Tartar _ was particularly ordered to silence , as more than any other it was the resort of coasters . The _ Tartar _ sailed in near enough to it to exchange shots , and so got some idea of the work they had to undertake ; then , having learned all she could , she stood out to sea again . All preparations were made during the day for a landing ; arms were distributed , and the men told off to the boats . After nightfall she again sailed in , and arrived off the forts about midnight . The boats had already been lowered , and the men took their places in them while the _ Tartar _ was still moving through the water , and , dividing into three parties , made respectively for the three principal batteries . Dimchurch was not in the boat in which Will had a place , as he rowed stroke of the first gig and Will was in the launch . Tom was also in another boat , but was in the same division .

28357

9

nine o’clock

His basket was standing in the hall . `` I shall not return this evening , '' he said , `` so I will pay my bill . '' Then , having bought a suit of ready-made sailor 's clothes , with hat complete , he put them into his basket , hired a vehicle , and drove to Fairham . In the morning at nine o'clock he walked along the main road towards Cosham till he reached the turning to Porchester , went down it a couple of hundred yards , and sat on a grassy bank till he saw the pedlar approaching . `` It is a foggy morning , '' the huckster said when he came up . `` So much the better . I hope it will last over to-morrow , and then they wo n't be able to signal the news of the prisoner 's escape .

28357

12

twelve o’clock

When he left the hut he went about the yard till he had disposed of a considerable amount of his goods , and then left the prison and made his way back to the spot where he had hidden his clothes . On arriving there he changed at once , rubbed the pigment from his face , threw away the wig and whiskers , hid the basket in a place which he and the pedlar had agreed upon , with the clothes in it and the pass in one of the pockets , and then went back into the village , where he hired a chaise and drove to Fairham . `` Landlord , '' he said , as he drew up at the principal hotel , `` I shall want a post-chaise to-night for London . I shall be at a party to-night and can not say at what time I may get away , but have the horses ready to put in at twelve o'clock . If they have to wait an hour or two you shall not be the loser . '' After ordering dinner , he strolled about the town till he thought it would be nearly ready . Then he asked for a room , and there changed into his naval uniform , which he had brought with him .

28357

20

eight o’clock in the evening

The _ Hermione _ , however , was of but little use to the Spaniards . Sir Hyde Parker , in October , 1799 , hearing that she was about to sail from Porto Cabello , in Havana , detached the _ Surprise _ under Captain Hamilton , to attempt to obtain possession of her . On arriving off Porto Cabello he found the _ Hermione _ , which was manned by four hundred men , moored between two strong batteries at the entrance to the harbour , but , nothing daunted , Captain Hamilton resolved to cut her out . At eight o'clock in the evening he pushed off from the _ Surprise _ with all his boats , manned by one hundred officers and men . Undeterred by a heavy fire , the boats made for the _ Hermione _ and were soon alongside . The main attack at the gangways was beaten off , but the captain , with his cutter 's crew , made good his footing on the forecastle , and here he was joined by the crew of the gig and some of the men from the jolly-boat . He then fought his way to the quarter-deck , where he was soon reinforced by the crews of the boats that had at first been repulsed .

28357

1

one o’clock

Duncan 's own ship , the _ Venerable _ , the leading ship of the starboard division , marked out the _ Vryhide _ , De Winter 's flagship , as his own antagonist . The Dutch ship _ States-general _ , the flagship of their rear-admiral , seeing his design , pressed so close up to his chief that the British admiral was compelled to change his course and pass astern of her ; but as he did so he poured so terrible a fire into her stern that she was glad to fall back and leave the _ Venerable _ free to attack the _ Vryhide _ . Others of our ships followed the example of their chief , breaking the Dutch line at several points . At one o'clock the battle became general , and was carried on with unsurpassed courage on both sides . The two biggest Dutch frigates , which carried as heavy guns as the British line-of-battle ships , crept forward into the fight and fought gallantly , the _ Mars _ raking the _ Venerable _ severely while she was engaged with no fewer than three Dutch line-of-battle ships . The crew of the _ Venerable _ had been particularly anxious to fight , their ship having been for the past five months engaged in the dreary work of blockading the Texel ; and when they had seen the Dutch with their topsails bent , as if intending to come out , they had offered to advance into the narrow entrance to the Texel , and in that position stop the way against the whole fleet , or at least fight their ship till she sank . Now they proved that their offer had been no empty boast , for , although fighting against overwhelming odds , they stuck to their guns with unexampled devotion .

28357

2

two o’clock

Two or three days earlier the _ Ethalion _ and the eighteen-gun brig _ Sylph _ had joined the thirty-eight-gun frigate _ Boadicea _ , which was watching Brest . At daybreak a light breeze sprang up , and the French made sail . Leaving the _ Ethalion _ to watch the French fleet , the _ Boadicea _ sailed to carry the news of the start of the expedition to Lord Bridport . At two o'clock on the 18th the _ Ethalion _ was joined by the _ Amelia _ , a thirty-eight-gun frigate , and at daylight the French directed their course as if for the West Indies . At eight o'clock they bore up , and five of their frigates chased the English ships . Presently , however , finding that they did not gain , they rejoined the squadron , which bore away to the south-west . On the 20th the two frigates were joined by the forty-four-gun frigate _ Anson _ .

28357

8

eight o’clock

At daybreak a light breeze sprang up , and the French made sail . Leaving the _ Ethalion _ to watch the French fleet , the _ Boadicea _ sailed to carry the news of the start of the expedition to Lord Bridport . At two o'clock on the 18th the _ Ethalion _ was joined by the _ Amelia _ , a thirty-eight-gun frigate , and at daylight the French directed their course as if for the West Indies . At eight o'clock they bore up , and five of their frigates chased the English ships . Presently , however , finding that they did not gain , they rejoined the squadron , which bore away to the south-west . On the 20th the two frigates were joined by the forty-four-gun frigate _ Anson _ . At noon the French were nearly becalmed .

28357

12

noon

At eight o'clock they bore up , and five of their frigates chased the English ships . Presently , however , finding that they did not gain , they rejoined the squadron , which bore away to the south-west . On the 20th the two frigates were joined by the forty-four-gun frigate _ Anson _ . At noon the French were nearly becalmed . There was now no doubt that the destination of the squadron was Ireland , and the news was despatched by the _ Sylph _ to the commander-in-chief of the Irish station . On the 26th the French ships turned on the frigates , but gave this up about noon , and proceeded on their way . The sea now became so rough that all the ships shortened sail .

28357

12

about noon

On the 20th the two frigates were joined by the forty-four-gun frigate _ Anson _ . At noon the French were nearly becalmed . There was now no doubt that the destination of the squadron was Ireland , and the news was despatched by the _ Sylph _ to the commander-in-chief of the Irish station . On the 26th the French ships turned on the frigates , but gave this up about noon , and proceeded on their way . The sea now became so rough that all the ships shortened sail . On the 29th the weather moderated , and the French squadron again started in chase . About nine o'clock the French battle-ship , the _ Hoche _ , sprung her main-topmast , and one of the French frigates carried away her top-sail yard .

28357

9

About nine o’clock

On the 26th the French ships turned on the frigates , but gave this up about noon , and proceeded on their way . The sea now became so rough that all the ships shortened sail . On the 29th the weather moderated , and the French squadron again started in chase . About nine o'clock the French battle-ship , the _ Hoche _ , sprung her main-topmast , and one of the French frigates carried away her top-sail yard . At this both the French and the British ships shortened sail . The French ships wore away to the north-west , and the British again followed them ; but the _ Anson _ had sprung her topmast , and in the evening the _ Hoche _ lowered hers . The weather now became very bad , and the frigates hauled up and soon lost sight of the enemy .

28357

3

three o’clock

The _ Immortalité 's _ fire was so well aimed that in a short time the _ Fisgard _ was quite unmanageable . Repairs , however , were executed with great promptness , and after a chase the action was recommenced . At the end of half an hour the _ Fisgard _ had received several shots between wind and water and she had six feet of water in her hold . Nevertheless she continued the fight , and at three o'clock the _ Immortalité _ , which was in a semi-sinking state , and had lost her captain and first lieutenant , hauled down her colours . Thus seven out of the ten vessels under the command of Commodore Bompart were captured . In the combat with the _ Bellone _ Will had been slightly wounded , and as he was most anxious to proceed with his investigation with regard to his relations , he applied for leave on his arrival at Portsmouth . This was at once granted , and at the same time he received his promotion to post rank in consequence of his capture of the _ Bellone _ .

17259

0

midnight

And Ethel drew a sudden breath , as from close behind her the soft voice of the darky porter drawled : `` Yes 'm -- yes 'm -- dis is New York . We 's comin ' right into de station now . '' `` Well , Ethel my love , we 're here at last ! ... It must be after midnight . I wonder when I 'll get to sleep ? ... Not that I care especially . What a quaint habit sleeping is . ''

17259

1

one o'clock

No dinner or suffrage party will ever again be quite complete without your droll dry humour ... . I suppose I ought to be going to sleep ! '' And she yawned excitedly . From somewhere far in the distance there came to her ears the dull bellowing roar of an ocean liner leaving dock at one o'clock to start the long journey over the sea . `` I 'm going to Paris , too ! '' she resolved . Her fancy travelled over the ocean and roamed madly for awhile , with the help of many photographs which she had seen in magazines .

17259

12

noon

If I do n't , I 'll go right out of my mind ! '' But what ? She stared about her , then went to the windows and threw back the curtains . It was well along toward noon . Daylight flooded into the room , with one yellow path of light which came down from the distant sun . `` I 'll go out and get her some flowers . '' When she came back a half hour later , Ethel still had that resolute look .

17259

5

five in the morning

But it was soon over . The nurse had taken her departure and Ethel had moved to the nursery . And now the routine of her day brought such a change in Ethel 's life as deeply affected her future course -- though at first she had but little time to stop for self-analysis . At five in the morning she was roused by the low , sweet chirrup of Susette , who was peering over the edge of the crib . And her day from that time on was filled with a succession of little tasks , which at first puzzled and wearied her , made her often anxious and cross , but then attracted her more and more . What a change from the month before , from Mr. Greesheimer to Susette ! She became engrossed in the washing and dressing and feeding of her tiny charge .

17259

8

eight o'clock

She had gone to him suddenly . `` And just now I want you so . '' By these talks she had already worked a change . No more hasty breakfasts to let him be off by eight o'clock . They had breakfasted later and later each day ; she had made an affair of breakfast . And as at last he kissed her and tore himself away from his home , she had smiled to herself delightedly at the guilty look in his eyes . This kind of thing would cause a decided coolness , no doubt , between Joe and his partner .

17259

5

five o'clock

This kind of thing would cause a decided coolness , no doubt , between Joe and his partner . So much the better , she had thought , for she detested that man Nourse , and in his case she could quite openly admit , `` I 'm jealous of you and your business devotion ! Your time is coming soon , friend Bill ! '' The office was half way uptown , and several times in the last few weeks she had gone there for Joe at five o'clock , and once at four-thirty , as though by appointment . She chuckled now as she recalled the black look of his partner that day . Yes , four-thirty had been a blow ! `` Where are we going this evening ? ''

17259

8

eight o'clock

`` I 'm lazy , '' she thought , `` I 'm not facing it ! I 'm just putting it off -- and it 's dangerous ! '' For Joe was out so much at night . Over half the time he did not get home until the children were in bed , and often after a hurried dinner he would leave by eight o'clock -- for business appointments , he told her , at some club or some café . He was putting through another big deal . At times , despite her efforts , angry suspicions would arise . He was dealing with some men from the West .

17259

6

afternoon about six o'clock

When Ethel felt blue she would go upstairs to the sunny new home that was to be hers ; and there the blithe welcome she received restored her own belief in herself . Mrs. Grewe would often lead her to talk of her home in Ohio , the eager dreams and plans of her girlhood ; and on her side , the young widow gave pictures of life in London and Paris as she had seen it so many times . They still shopped together occasionally . But one afternoon about six o'clock , as Ethel 's car drew up at the door and she and her one friend got out , Joe came along -- and with one quick angry look he hurried into the building . Quite furious and ashamed for him , Ethel turned to her companion -- but Mrs. Grewe smiled queerly and held out her small gloved hand . `` Good-bye , my dear , it has been so nice -- this afternoon and all the others . '' Her tone was a curious mixture of amused defiance and real regret .

17259

5

five o'clock

First it was a wedding trip , and after that late hours -- a short day in his office . And he was n't half the man he had been . He was thinking of the night before , and then of the night that was coming . She came for him at five o'clock . '' He saw Ethel start , and he added , `` Just as you did later on . `` And when he did wake up to work , it was different -- it was for money alone . He began to throw over his ideals , and very soon there was only me to hold him back .

17259

4

about four o'clock

She had come home the night before feeling so strong and sure of her course . But beginning at the moment when she came into the empty apartment , subtly and by slow degrees again her home had cast its spell , as though the rooms were haunted . `` I 've got to lay the ghost , '' she thought . She had telephoned to Joe to come , and he had replied abruptly , `` All right , I 'll be there about four o'clock . '' It was just that now . Ethel poked the logs in the fireplace until there was a cheerful blaze . As she straightened up she caught sight of her face in the mirror over the mantel .

17259

7

nearly seven o'clock

`` Stand-offish to the last degree -- as though he believed he could handle Joe all by himself ! '' she thought in annoyance . At last she sent for him one day and gave him quite a piece of her mind ; and although not fully successful , she at least made him acquiesce in the plan she and Sally had concocted for a little gathering to take place one night the following week . It was nearly seven o'clock upon the evening in question ; and in her room , at her dressing-table , Ethel was completing her toilet . They were going to dine with the Crothers ' , and Joe was nervous about it . `` Come on , Ethel , hurry up ! '' `` Yes , love , I 'm almost ready now .

26391

4

four o'clock

And as he sat there a drowsiness stole over him which he made no effort to resist . In a few minutes the world of sight and sound was blotted out , and he slept . He awakened with a start and looked around . Then he glanced at his watch and found that it was four o'clock , and that he must have been asleep for about half an hour . What was it that aroused him ? he wondered . No one was in sight , and he could hear nothing .

26391

9

about nine o'clock

he at length asked . `` Down at Kane 's corner , about a mile and a half from here . '' `` What time does the dance begin ? '' `` Oh , about nine o'clock . The crowd wo n't get there much before that . '' `` Very well , then , I will be there and do the best I can . '' It was after nine before the dance in the hall at the Corner began .

26391

0

midnight

`` Ye ' r not goin ' till the guy comes , I tell ye . '' `` When 's he comin ' ? '' `` I do n't know . '' `` He 'll stay there till midnight . They always do . I never got home till mornin ' when I was courtin ' , an ' Sal was n't half as sweet as the ` fessor 's daughter . Gad , she 's a peach ! ''

26391

0

midnight

Douglas said nothing , but walked silently by their side . He was thinking over more serious matters in which Ben Stubbles loomed large and ominous . He believed that the struggle between himself and the Stubbles had now reached a crisis , and that he was in a fair way of winning a victory over Ben , at least , if he advanced carefully . It was past midnight by the time they reached home . Jake made Empty come into the house . `` We 're goin ' to have something to eat , '' he told him , `` an ' I know you always shine when there 's any grub around . '' Mrs. Jukes was in bed , but it did not take Jake long to light the kitchen fire , boil some water , and prepare a pot of tea .

26391

0

midnight

Jake made Empty come into the house . `` We 're goin ' to have something to eat , '' he told him , `` an ' I know you always shine when there 's any grub around . '' Mrs. Jukes was in bed , but it did not take Jake long to light the kitchen fire , boil some water , and prepare a pot of tea . This , with bread and jam from the pantry , formed their midnight repast , and when they were through Jake pushed back his chair and lighted his pipe . `` Great punkins ! '' he exclaimed , bringing his big fist down upon the table with a bang . `` I would n't a ' missed that racket to-night fer anything .

26391

10

ten o'clock

Douglas woke about daylight and heard the rain beating upon the roof . How good it sounded , and he turned over and went to sleep again . It was late when he once more opened his eyes , and sprang out of bed . It was ten o'clock , and he felt ashamed of himself for having slept so long . He apologised to Mrs. Jukes when he entered the kitchen , and told her that she had better send him about his business at once , as he was a most unprofitable servant . But Mrs. Jukes only laughed , and ordered him to sit down to the table and eat his breakfast , which she had kept waiting for him . `` You deserve to sleep all day , '' she said , `` after what you did last night .

26391

3

Monday at three o'clock

`` Where ? '' `` In the hall at the Corner , of course . '' `` When ? '' `` Will Monday at three o'clock do ? That will give me time to serve the summons for the men to appear . '' `` Yes , that will suit me as well as any time . You must summon the witnesses as well .

26391

10

about ten o'clock

This act of thoughtfulness touched Douglas deeply , and the look that he gave Nell brought the colour back to her cheeks and made her very happy . As he ate , he told about his visit to the city , and especially about the evening he had spent with the Gartons . He said nothing , however , about what the lawyer had told him concerning Simon Stubbles ' financial difficulties ; neither did he say anything about the recovery of the Big Chief mining concern . It was about ten o'clock when Douglas bade the professor good-night . `` I am anxious to hear how you are getting on with your book , '' he told him . `` But we can have a long talk when I come again . '' Nell accompanied Douglas to the front door , and for a while they stood there looking out upon the beautiful night .

26392

10

Ten o'clock

The disposition to do so , however , only came by fits and starts . In another respect , too , he was like a great many other boys -- ay , and girls , too -- and that was -- he would often go to a great deal more pains to avoid a difficulty than it would have caused him by boldly facing it . So true is the proverb that lazy people often take most pains . Ten o'clock ! Paul looked from his bed . There was the bed in which Stanley ought to have been sleeping -- empty ! Next to that , Waterman .

26392

0

midnight

He could see it stealing faintly through a crack in the door . `` Studying late . Trying some scientific experiment , I expect . The fellows say that he burns the midnight oil a lot . That 's what gives him such a sleepy look sometimes , I suppose . No wonder he 's such a dab at science . '' Paul knew that it was useless to try to get to Stanley along the passage .

26392

0

midnight

`` Let 's put our heads together for a moment and work it out . Supposing you go to Weevil and tell him straight out that you were n't in your dorm last night , but with me . He contradicts you point-blank . ` You could not have been with Moncrief , because I looked in at his dormitory at midnight and saw that no one else was there . ' Then you bring forward your next piece , and cry , ` I think I can prove to you , sir , that I was in Dormitory X last night . ' ` Your proof , quick ! ' ` My proof is that as I was passing by your room I happened to glance in at the window , and saw you with another gentleman -- ahem !

26392

7

seven o'clock

queried Bember , as the two made their appearance . `` All serene ! '' came the answer . * * * * * At seven o'clock the Fifth Form began to put in an appearance at the shed . Arbery and Leveson were two of the first . They lit a candle , and stuck it in a tin candle-stick . Then they rolled out one of the boxes that were piled up at the back , placed it lengthwise , so as to form a rostrum , and covered it with a baize cloth .

26392

10

ten o'clock

After , darkness . The great tongue of flame was engulfed in the waters . The boys had been so absorbed in the terrible spectacle that they had taken no heed of time . But when the ship had gone down , they found that it was ten o'clock . Garside was a good three miles distant , so that it would be close upon eleven before they reached the school again . Three or four search-parties had been formed under the masters , and they met one of these as they neared the gates . It had been decided between Paul and Harry that nothing should be said about their adventures in the cave until Paul had had an explanation with Mr. Weevil .

17255

0

midnight

LETTER I. _ Dear and Beloved Constance _ , -- What shall I say to you ? Here I sit , in a strange room , in a strange land , -- and my life lies behind me . It is close upon midnight , and very dark . I can see nothing out of window . The air is hot and heavy , the moths flutter round my candle ; I can not save them all . I am trying to write you a letter -- do you understand ?

17255

10

nearly ten o'clock

July 19 . It is just half-past ten , my Constance ; the two old ladies have gone to bed . I am getting on very well , on the whole , although I had the misfortune to keep them waiting three-quarters of an hour for breakfast this morning . It was so beautiful out of doors , and I was so happy roaming in field and wood , -- happy with the happiness sunshine can lay atop of the greatest sorrow , -- that I stayed out till nearly ten o'clock . I had taken some milk and bread in the kitchen before starting , not realising that breakfast here is a solemn meal . Poor old souls ! they were too polite to begin without me , and I found them positively drooping with hunger .

17255

12

midday

Why waste pen and ink wondering how I am ? Tell me about yourself , tell me all you do , and all you think ; tell me how many different hats you wore on Wednesday , and how you misspent your time on Thursday ; tell me of all the nonsense that is poured into your ears , of all the rubbish you read ; tell me even how many times your mother wakes you in the night to ask if you are sleeping well . I long for you so that the very faults of your life are dear to me , even those for which I most reprove you when you are near . Let me see : it is past midday with you ; you and your mother are out walking . I hear you both . `` Constance , '' says Mrs. Rayner , `` put up your parasol ! '' `` Thanks , mother , '' you reply ; `` I like to feel the sun . ''

17255

0

midnight

`` I think , '' said I , `` that you should have married him , all the same . '' The old woman blew her nose , rose , and kissed me . `` You are the first that ever told me so , '' she said ; `` I think so , too . '' It was past midnight when I left her , and I must confess that my own eyes were not dry . `` Is he still alive ? '' I asked , as I reached the door . The old woman smiled .

17255

2

a quarter to three

I should not marry him if I thought otherwise . But it is very sad ; I am so sorry for us all . _ June 30th . _ -- It must be late ; the chimes have just told three quarters , it must be a quarter to three . I was in bed , -- I am very much troubled . I think I had better write a little , lest I lose my self-possession ; that would be fatal . Constance and I returned to-day from London ; we had been there to get my things .

17255

10

ten o'clock

I remember looking hard at Gabriel once , and saying to myself , `` After all , he will admire me for this much more than I deserve ; after all , I do not love him so much as I imagined . '' After supper I played some while on the piano . Gabriel and Constance sat very far apart , but I should not have felt it had they sat together . At ten o'clock I left off . `` Gabriel , '' said I , `` I shall turn you out a little earlier than usual to-night , because I want to walk as far as the park with you . '' Then , for a second , feeling returned to me ; there came a little flutter of fear within me , the same I sometimes felt in childhood when I had told a lie and , wanting to confess it , stood at my mother 's door saying , `` May I come in ? '' There was no moon , but the sky was not dark .

17255

0

midnight

He held out for some days , but in the end I conquered . We passed through Florence on the way , and there beside my mother 's grave I put forth the first , the only prayer I ever made , -- a wordless yearning towards the Inconceivable , a prayer for strength and the Light of Truth . * * * * * We reached Graysmill on the nineteenth of September . My impatience was so great that , in spite of Gabriel 's displeasure at what he called my rashness , I would not stay in London on the way , but we travelled straight down , reaching Fletcher 's Hall at midnight . Aunt Caroline was down to receive us , for I had sent a telegram from Dover ; upstairs , my dear old woman was sitting up in bed with sweet , wrinkled smiles beneath her frilled night-cap . I was very glad to be home again ; my heart felt warm . I sent Aunt Caroline to bed , much against her will , and then Gabriel and I sat down to drink the tea he had wished for , beside the fire in the breakfast-room .

17255

9

nine o'clock

The poem was approaching completion , and this , in fact , was the reason why for fifteen days I deferred the execution of my purpose . The sufferings we all three experienced daily at this time , when it was impossible to entirely avoid each other 's presence , were endurable to me , and I sought to help Constance to bear them . To him they were , so to speak , a source of inspiration ; and I therefore determined to let things run their course until the last line should be written . On the fourth of October , -- it was Saturday , -- I , having a headache , did not get up to breakfast , and Gabriel left before nine o'clock for the Thatched Cottage . My sweet Constance spent the entire morning with me . She had brought a hat to trim , but the work did not proceed . It was a black felt hat , I remember , and I trimmed it for her .

17255

2

Two o'clock

Surely it is in this state that people kill themselves . '' I heard the chimes again , and a duck quacked in the pond ; it was as the laugh of a devil . I turned from the window and stumbled over something ; I lighted a candle , and sat shivering on the shrouded bed . `` Two o'clock , '' thought I ; `` it is very cold . What shall I do ? Shall I sleep or die ? '' And , as it were with a flash , there came to me the thought that perhaps I was not the only one who sat at this moment coldly contemplating death .

17255

10

nearly ten o'clock

I must have fallen asleep towards rising-time , for I did not hear her get up ; but when she was nearly dressed I awoke and got up also , begging her to excuse my explanations yet a little , as I was very tired . Gabriel got down at the same time as I did . Richard Norton was always a lie-abed , so poor Jane was alone to puzzle out the secret of our haggard faces . It was not early ; it must have been nearly ten o'clock when Aunt Caroline arrived . The poor thing burst into tears when she saw me . `` Thank Mercy ! '' she cried ; `` oh , what a fright we 've had !

10709

8

eight o'clock

` On the 10th , both father and son remained in their rooms all day , except when the latter came down to meals ; at which times he would lock his door behind him , and with his own hands take in the earl 's food , giving as his reason that his father was writing a very important document , and did not wish to be disturbed by the presence of a servant . During the forenoon , Hester Dyett , hearing loud noises in Randolph 's room , as if furniture was being removed from place to place , found some pretext for knocking at his door , when he ordered her on no account to interrupt him again , as he was busy packing his clothes in view of a journey to London on the next day . The subsequent conduct of the woman shows that her curiosity must have been excited to the utmost by the undoubtedly strange spectacle of Randolph packing his own clothes . During the afternoon a lad from the village was instructed to collect his companions for a science lecture the same evening at eight o'clock . And so the eventful day wore on . ` We arrive now at this hour of eight P.M. on this 10th day of January . The night is dark and windy ; some snow has been falling , but has now ceased .

10709

0

midnight

He was accompanied by his son . The third in 1557 , under Mary , renounced the Catholic faith , to which , both before and since , the family have passionately clung , and suffered -LRB- at the age of forty -RRB- the last penalty . The fourth earl died naturally , but suddenly , in his bed at the age of fifty during the winter of 1566 . At midnight _ of the same day _ he was laid in the grave by his son . This son was later on , in 1591 , seen by _ his _ son to fall from a lofty balcony at Orven Hall , while walking in his sleep at high noonday . Then for some time nothing happens ; but the eighth earl dies mysteriously in 1651 at the age of forty-five . A fire occurring in his room , he leapt from a window to escape the flames .

10709

0

midnight

But the fiend would surely never dream of giving to me that browse of hell -- to me an aged man , and a thinker , a seer . ' _ June 23 _ . -- The mysterious , the unfathomable Ul-Jabal ! Once again , as I lay in heavy trance at midnight , has he invaded , calm and noiseless as a spirit , the sanctity of my chamber . Serene on the swaying air , which , radiant with soft beams of vermil and violet light , rocked me into variant visions of heaven , I reclined and regarded him unmoved . The man has replaced the valueless stone in the modern-made chalice , and has now stolen the false stone from the other , which _ he himself _ put there ! In patience will I possess this my soul , and watch what shall betide .

10709

7

seven o'clock

` This is the 20th . ' ` Then I would wager a thousand to one that we are too late . There is still , however , the one chance left . The time is now seven o'clock : seven of the evening , I think , not of the morning ; the houses of business in London are therefore closed . But why not send my man , Ham , with a letter by train to the private address of the person from whom you obtained the diary , telling him to hasten immediately to Sir Jocelin Saul , and on no consideration to leave his side for a moment ? Ham would reach this person before midnight , and understanding that the matter was one of life and death , he would assuredly do your bidding . ' As I was writing the note suggested by Zaleski , I turned and asked him : ` From whom shall I say that the danger is to be expected -- from the Indian ? '

10709

0

midnight

There is still , however , the one chance left . The time is now seven o'clock : seven of the evening , I think , not of the morning ; the houses of business in London are therefore closed . But why not send my man , Ham , with a letter by train to the private address of the person from whom you obtained the diary , telling him to hasten immediately to Sir Jocelin Saul , and on no consideration to leave his side for a moment ? Ham would reach this person before midnight , and understanding that the matter was one of life and death , he would assuredly do your bidding . ' As I was writing the note suggested by Zaleski , I turned and asked him : ` From whom shall I say that the danger is to be expected -- from the Indian ? ' ` From Ul-Jabal , yes ; but by no means Indian -- Persian . ' Profoundly impressed by this knowledge of detail derived from sources which had brought me no intelligence , I handed the note to the negro , telling him how to proceed , and instructing him before starting from the station to search all the procurable papers of the last few days , and to return in case he found in any of them a notice of the death of Sir Jocelin Saul .

10709

0

midnight

It is enough if I say that he was greatly mixed up in the affairs of the Crusaders , lending his irresistible arms now to this side , now to that . He was the chief of the heterodox Mohammedan sect of the Assassins -LRB- this word , I believe , is actually derived from his name -RRB- ; imagined himself to be an incarnation of the Deity , and from his inaccessible rock-fortress of Alamut in the Elburz exercised a sinister influence on the intricate politics of the day . The Red Cross Knights called him Shaikh-ul-Jabal -- the Old Man of the Mountains , that very nickname connecting him infallibly with the Ul-Jabal of our own times . Now three well-known facts occur to me in connection with this stone of the House of Saul : the first , that Saladin met in battle , and defeated , _ and plundered _ , in a certain place , on a certain day , this Hasn-us-Sabah , or one of his successors bearing the same name ; the second , that about this time there was a cordial _ rapprochement _ between Saladin and Richard the Lion , and between the Infidels and the Christians generally , during which a free interchange of gems , then regarded as of deep mystic importance , took place -- remember `` The Talisman , '' and the `` Lee Penny '' ; the third , that soon after the fighters of Richard , and then himself , returned to England , the Loculus or coffin of St. Edmund -LRB- as we are informed by the _ Jocelini Chronica _ -RRB- was _ opened by the Abbot _ at midnight , and the body of the martyr exposed . On such occasions it was customary to place gems and relics in the coffin , when it was again closed up . Now , the chalice with the stone was taken from this loculus ; and is it possible not to believe that some knight , to whom it had been presented by one of Saladin 's men , had in turn presented it to the monastery , first scratching uncouthly on its surface the name of Hasn to mark its semi-sacred origin , or perhaps bidding the monks to do so ? But the Assassins , now called , I think , `` al Hasani '' or `` Ismaili '' -- `` that accursed _ Ishmaelite _ , '' the baronet exclaims in one place -- still live , are still a flourishing sect impelled by fervid religious fanaticisms .

10709

0

midnight

On the very next day he leaves the house -- no more shall the mistrustful baronet , who is `` hiding something from him , '' see his face . He carries with him a small parcel . Let me tell you what was in that parcel : it contained the baronet 's fur cap , one of his `` brown gowns , '' and a snow-white beard and wig . Of the cap we can be sure ; for from the fact that , on leaving his room at midnight to follow the Persian through the _ house _ , he put it on his head , I gather that he wore it habitually during all his waking hours ; yet after Ul-Jabal has left him he wanders _ far and wide _ `` with uncovered head . '' Can you not picture the distracted old man seeking ever and anon with absent mind for his long-accustomed head-gear , and seeking in vain ? Of the gown , too , we may be equally certain : for it was the procuring of this that led Ul-Jabal to the baronet 's trunk ; we now know that he did not go there to _ hide _ the stone , for he had it not to hide ; nor to _ seek _ it , for he would be unable to believe the baronet childish enough to deposit it in so obvious a place . As for the wig and beard , they had been previously seen in his room .

10709

0

midnight

For days , he declared , he had been endeavouring , in vain , to make anything of the figures . Dr. Hofmeier , too , examined the slip , but inclined to believe that the figures -- rude and uncouth as they were -- were only such as might be drawn by any school-boy in an idle moment . They consisted merely of a man and a woman seated on a bench , with what looked like an ornamental border running round them . After a pleasant evening 's scientific gossip , Dr. Hofmeier , a little after midnight , took his departure from the bed-side . An hour later the servants were roused from sleep by one deep , raucous cry proceeding from the professor 's room . They hastened to his door ; it was locked on the inside ; all was still within . No answer coming to their calls , the door was broken in .

10709

6

six o'clock

On the next morning , however , another letter -- a rather massive one -- reached me . The covering was directed in the writing of Zaleski , but on it he had scribbled the words : ` This need not be opened unless I fail to reappear before Saturday . ' I therefore laid the packet aside unread . I waited all through Friday , resolved that at six o'clock , if nothing happened , I should make some sort of effort . But from six I remained , with eyes strained towards the doorway , until ten . I was so utterly at a loss , my ingenuity was so entirely baffled by the situation , that I could devise no course of action which did not immediately appear absurd . But at midnight I sprang up -- no longer would I endure the carking suspense .

10709

0

midnight

I waited all through Friday , resolved that at six o'clock , if nothing happened , I should make some sort of effort . But from six I remained , with eyes strained towards the doorway , until ten . I was so utterly at a loss , my ingenuity was so entirely baffled by the situation , that I could devise no course of action which did not immediately appear absurd . But at midnight I sprang up -- no longer would I endure the carking suspense . I seized a taper , and passed through the door-way . I had not proceeded far , however , when my light was extinguished . Then I remembered with a shudder that I should have to pass through the whole vast length of the building in order to gain an exit .

10709

0

midnight

I will therefore prevent such a motive from occurring to them by communicating to another their whole secret , and -- if the necessity should arise -- _ letting them know _ that I have done so , without telling them who that other is . Thus my life will be assured . '' I therefore wrote to you on that day a full account of all I had discovered , giving you to understand , however , on the envelope , that you need not examine the contents for some little time . ` I waited in the subterranean vault during the greater part of the next day ; but not till midnight did the confederates gather . What happened at that meeting I shall not disclose , even to you . All was sacred -- solemn -- full of awe . Of the choral hymns there sung , the hierophantic ritual , liturgies , paeans , the gorgeous symbolisms -- of the wealth there represented , the culture , art , self-sacrifice -- of the mingling of all the tongues of Europe -- I shall not speak ; nor shall I repeat names which you would at once recognise as familiar to you -- though I may , perhaps , mention that the `` Morris , '' whose name appears on the papyrus sent to me is a well-known _ littérateur _ of that name .

9259

2

two o'clock

That Horatio was the right man for the work he wanted done , Mr. Sheldon had been quick to perceive . `` He knows Hawkehurst , and will be able to reckon up any manoeuvres of his better than a stranger ; and is , I think , altogether as deep an old gentleman as one could hope to meet with , barring _ the _ traditional gentleman who did odd jobs for Dr. Faustus , '' the stockbroker said to himself , as his hansom sped along Park Lane on its way to Chelsea . The eagerness with which Captain Paget took up the idea of this business was very agreeable to his patron . `` This is an affair in which success hinges on time , '' said Mr. Sheldon ; `` so , if you mean to go in for the business , you must start for Ullerton by the two o'clock express . You 'll have just time to throw your razors and a clean shirt into a carpet-bag while I talk to you . I 've got a cab outside , and a good one , that will take you to Euston Square in half an hour . '' The Captain showed himself prompt in action .

9259

8

eight o'clock

He went further north by the same train that brought me from London . This train only stops at three places after Ullerton -- Slowport , Black Harbour , and Manchester ; and I shall take pains to discover which of these towns was Hawkehurst 's destination . There was one satisfaction in seeing his departure by this train , inasmuch as it assured me that I had the ground clear for my own operations . I had no difficulty in discovering the whereabouts of Goodge -- _ the _ Goodge we want -- and at eight o'clock was comfortably seated in that gentleman 's parlour , talking over the affair of the letters . Tolerably quick work , I think you will allow , my dear sir , for a man whose years have fallen into the sere and yellow leaf . Mr. Goodge is a Methodist parson -- a class of person I have always detested . I found him peculiarly amenable to monetary influence .

9259

21

nine o'clock at night

suggested the lad . `` In that case you must stick to your post till nightfall , and pick up all the information you can about my unfortunate nephew from the hangers-on of the hotel , '' said I. `` I suppose you know some one at the Black Swan ? '' The boy informed me , in his untutored language , that he knew `` a ` most all of 'em , '' and thereupon departed . At nine o'clock at night he again appeared before me , big with the importance of his day 's work . He had seen my nephew issue forth from the Black Swan within an hour of leaving my presence , and had followed him , first to Mr. William Judson 's in Ferrygate , where he waited and hung about nearly an hour , keeping himself well out of view round the corner of Chalkin Street , a turning close to Mr. Judson 's house . After leaving this gentleman 's house , my renegade nephew had proceeded -- carrying a letter in his hand , and walking as if in very good spirits -LRB- but that fellow Hawkehurst would walk to the gallows in good spirits -RRB- -- to the Lancaster Road , where he was admitted into Lochiel Villa , a house belonging , as my Mercury ascertained from a passing baker 's boy , to Miss Judson , sister of the William Judson of Ferrygate . You will perceive that this town appears to teem with the Judson family .

9259

20

eight o'clock in the evening

My messenger , with praiseworthy art , contrived to engage in a game of tip-cat -LRB- what , I wonder , _ is _ a tip-cat ? -RRB- with some vagrant boys disporting themselves in the roadway , within view of Miss Judson 's house . Hence , after the lapse of more than an hour , Boots-Mercury beheld my recreant relative emerge , and from this point followed him -- always with extreme caution -- back to the Black Swan . Here he hung about the yard , favoured by his close acquaintance with the ostler , until eight o'clock in the evening , no event of the smallest importance occurring during all those hours . But at eight there arrived a young woman , with a packet from Miss Judson to Mr. Hawkehurst . The packet was small , and was sealed with red wax . This was all my Mercury could ascertain respecting it ; but this was something .

9259

11

eleven A.M.

Fortune favoured us . My reprobate nephew was too ill to go out . He intrusted Miss Hudson 's packet to his waiter , the waiter confided it to the Boots , the Boots resigned the responsibility in favour of my boy Mercury , who kindly offered to save that functionary the trouble of a walk to the Lancaster Road . At eleven A.M. the packet was in my hands . I have devoted the best part of to-day to the contents of this packet . They consist of letters written by Matthew Haygarth , and distinguished by a most abominable orthography ; but I remember my own father 's epistolary composition to have been somewhat deficient in this respect ; nor is it singular that the humble citizen should have been a poor hand at spelling in an age when royal personages indulged in a phonetic style of orthography which would provoke the laughter of a modern charity-boy . That the pretender to the crown of England should murder the two languages in which he wrote seems a small thing ; but that Frederick the Great , the most accomplished of princes , bosom-friend of Voltaire , and sworn patron of the literati , should not have been able to spell , is a matter for some astonishment .

9259

0

midnight

He knew that she had suspected him in the past , and he saw that she had outlived her suspicion . `` There is a statute of limitations to these things as well as for debt , '' he said to himself . `` A man can live down anything , if he knows what he is about . '' After that midnight interview between the two girls in Miss Halliday 's bedroom , life went very smoothly at the gothic villa for two or three days , during which the impulsive Charlotte , being forbidden to talk openly of the change in her friend 's position , was fain to give vent to her feelings by furtive embraces and hand-squeezings , sly nods and meaning becks , and mischievous twinkling of her arch grey eyes . She talked of Valentine more than ever now , feeling herself at liberty to sing what pæans she pleased in praise of her hero , now that her friend had also a fitting subject for pæans . `` And now it 's your turn to talk of M. Lenoble , dear , '' she would say naïvely , when she had entertained Diana with the minute details of her last conversation with her lover , or a lively sketch of the delights of that ideal cottage which she loved to furnish and unfurnish in accordance with the new fancy of the hour . Diana was pleased to listen to her girlish talk : to hang and rehang the ideal draperies , to fill and refill the ideal bookcase , to plan and replan the arrangements of that ideal existence which was to be all joy and love and harmony ; but when her turn came , and she was asked to be rapturous about her own lover , she could say nothing : that which she felt was too deep for words .

9259

0

midnight

Do you know what my last journey was like , Lotta ? It was the long dreary journey from Forêtdechêne to St. Katharine 's Wharf , when Mr. Hawkehurst advised and arranged my return to England . I had been sitting quite alone in a balcony overlooking the little town . It was after midnight , but the lights were still burning : I can see the lamplit windows shining through the night mist as I write this , and the sense of the hopeless misery of that time comes back to me like the breath of some freezing wind . I can find no words to tell you how desolate I was that night , or how hopeless . I dared not think of my future life ; or of the next day , that was to be the beginning of that hopeless future . I was obliged to bind my thoughts to the present and all its dreariness ; and a kind of dull apathetic feeling , which was too dull for despair , took possession of me that night .

9259

11

eleven o'clock

Six weeks ago he noticed that you wanted strength -- tone is what he calls it . ` Georgina , ' he said to me , ` Charlotte wants tone . She is beginning to stoop in a really lamentable manner : we must make her take port or bark , or something of a strengthening kind . ' And then a day or two afterwards he decided on port , and gave me the key of the cellar -- which is a thing he rarely gives out of his own hands -- and told me the number of the bin from which I was to take the wine -- some old wine that he had laid by on purpose for some special occasion ; and no one is to have it but you , and you are to take a glass daily at eleven o'clock . Mr. Sheldon is most particular about the hour . The regularity of the thing is half the battle in these cases , he says ; and I am sure if you do not observe his wishes and mine , Charlotte , it will be really ungrateful of you . '' `` But , dear mamma , I do observe Mr. -- papa 's wishes .

9259

8

eight o'clock

And to love her has been my ` liberal education ; ' to lose her would be my desolation and despair . '' To lose her ! His thoughts approached that dread possibility , but could not realize it ; not even yet . At eight o'clock Diana came to summon him to breakfast . `` Shall I see Charlotte ? '' he asked . `` No ; for some time past she has not come down to breakfast . ''

9259

9

a quarter past nine o'clock

There is nothing but sorrow here in all our hearts ; sorrow , and an ever-present dread . '' Book the Eighth . A FIGHT AGAINST TIME . The early fast train by which Valentine Hawkehurst travelled brought him into town at a quarter past nine o'clock . During the journey he had been meditating on the way in which he should set to work when he arrived in London . No ignorance could be more profound than his on all points relating to the medical profession . Dimly floating in his brain there were the names of doctors whom he had heard of as celebrated men -- one for the chest , another for the liver , another for the skin , another for the eyes ; but , among all these famous men , who was the man best able to cope with the mysterious wasting away , the gradual , almost imperceptible ebbing of that one dear life which Valentine wanted to save ?

9259

5

five o'clock

`` Of course , my dear sir . But then , you see , I have half-a-dozen other affairs of life and death on my hands at this moment . However , I have promised . My consultations will be over in half an hour ; I have a round of visits after that , and by -- well , say by the five o'clock express , I will go to St. Leonards . '' `` The delay will be very long , '' said Valentine . `` It can not be done sooner . I ought to go down to Hertfordshire this evening -- most interesting case -- carbuncle -- three operations in three consecutive weeks -- Swain as operator .

9259

5

five o'clock

`` The delay will be very long , '' said Valentine . `` It can not be done sooner . I ought to go down to Hertfordshire this evening -- most interesting case -- carbuncle -- three operations in three consecutive weeks -- Swain as operator . At five o'clock I shall be at the London Bridge station . Until then , gentlemen , good day . Lawson , the door . '' Dr. Jedd left his visitors to follow the respectable white-cravatted butler , and darted back to his consulting-room .

9259

3

three o'clock

We ai n't very long over _ our _ marriages , unless it is something out of the common way . '' The clerk 's familiarity was more good-natured than flattering to the applicant 's self-esteem ; but Valentine was in no mood to object to this easy-going treatment of the affair . He promised to give the clerk the required notice ; and having arranged everything in strictly legal manner , hurried back to his cab , and directed the man to drive to the Lawn . It was now three o'clock . At five he was to meet Dr. Jedd at the station . He had two hours for his interview with Nancy Woolper , and his drive from Bayswater to London Bridge . He had tasted nothing since daybreak ; but the necessity to eat and drink never occurred to him .

9259

5

five o'clock

My dearest one , when I return , it will be to stay with you -- for ever . '' She was too ill to note the significance of his words ; she only knew that they gave her comfort . He hurried from the room . In less than an hour he must be at the London Bridge terminus , or in all probability the five o'clock train would carry Dr. Jedd to St. Leonards ; and on Dr. Jedd his chief hope rested . `` Do you believe me now ? '' he asked of Mrs. Woolper as he went out into the hall . `` I do , '' she answered in a whisper ; `` and I will do what you want . ''

9259

4

a quarter to five

If it is not too late to save her , I will save her . '' He waited for no more , but jumped into the cab . `` London Bridge terminus ! You must get me there by a quarter to five , '' he said to the driver . George Sheldon went no further than the gate of his brother 's domain . `` I wonder whether the Harold 's Hill people will send that telegram after him , '' he thought . `` It 'll be rather unpleasant for Fred Orcott if they do .

9259

5

a quarter to six

To repress her grief was agony scarcely endurable . But she did hide all trace of anger and sorrow , and cheered the helpless traveller throughout the weariness of the journey . * * * * * Charlotte was lying on a sofa in her bedroom , with Mrs. Woolper in attendance upon her , when Dr. Jedd arrived . It was a quarter to six , and the low western sunshine flooded the room . The physician came with Valentine , and did not ask to see Mr. Sheldon before going to his patient 's room . He told the housemaid who admitted him to show the way to Miss Halliday 's room . `` The nurse is there , I suppose ? ''

9259

9

nine o'clock

`` Dr. Doddleson will understand it when he has heard my opinion . There is no time to be lost -- Mr. Hawkehurst , will you take this to the chemist , and wait for the medicine ? Miss Halliday can not take it too soon . I shall be here to-morrow at nine o'clock . -- If you wish me to see Dr. Doddleson , Mr. Sheldon , you will perhaps arrange an appointment with him for that hour . '' `` It is rather an early hour . '' `` No hour is too early in a case attended with so much danger .

9259

2

Two o'clock

It was a calm indifference to the waste of human life , which , displayed upon a larger field of operation , would have made a monster cold and passionless as Sphinx or Chimæra . `` I must see Ann Woolper , '' he said to himself , presently , `` she will not dare to exclude me from that room . '' He listened to the striking of the Bayswater clocks . Two o'clock . Within and without the house reigned a profound silence . The room immediately over Mr. Sheldon 's study was Charlotte 's room , and here there had been for a long time no sound of life or movement . `` Asleep , I dare say , '' muttered Mr. Sheldon , `` invalid and nurse both . ''

9259

3

three o'clock

growled the stockbroker , as he went to his own room , `` you are a pack of silly women altogether ; and your fine friend Hawkehurst is more womanish than the silliest of you . Goodnight . '' He went into his own room , where he found his wife still awake . Her weak lamentings and bewailings were insupportable to him ; and at three o'clock he went downstairs , put on his boots and a light overcoat , and went out into the dim regions of Bayswater , whence he saw the sun rise red above the eastern roofs and chimneys , and where he walked until the first clatter of hoofs and roll of wheels began to echo through the empty streets , and , with faint distant cries of sweeps and milk-women , life 's chorus recommenced . It was seven o'clock when he went back to his house , and let himself in softly with his latchkey . He knew that he had been walking a long time , and that he had seen the sun rise ; but what streets or squares he had been walking in he did not know . He crept upstairs to his dressing-room with stealthy footsteps , and made an elaborate toilet .

9259

7

seven o'clock

Goodnight . '' He went into his own room , where he found his wife still awake . Her weak lamentings and bewailings were insupportable to him ; and at three o'clock he went downstairs , put on his boots and a light overcoat , and went out into the dim regions of Bayswater , whence he saw the sun rise red above the eastern roofs and chimneys , and where he walked until the first clatter of hoofs and roll of wheels began to echo through the empty streets , and , with faint distant cries of sweeps and milk-women , life 's chorus recommenced . It was seven o'clock when he went back to his house , and let himself in softly with his latchkey . He knew that he had been walking a long time , and that he had seen the sun rise ; but what streets or squares he had been walking in he did not know . He crept upstairs to his dressing-room with stealthy footsteps , and made an elaborate toilet . At eight o'clock he was seated at breakfast in the hastily-arranged dining-room , with the newspapers by the side of his cup and saucer .

9259

8

eight o'clock

It was seven o'clock when he went back to his house , and let himself in softly with his latchkey . He knew that he had been walking a long time , and that he had seen the sun rise ; but what streets or squares he had been walking in he did not know . He crept upstairs to his dressing-room with stealthy footsteps , and made an elaborate toilet . At eight o'clock he was seated at breakfast in the hastily-arranged dining-room , with the newspapers by the side of his cup and saucer . At nine he went into the hall to receive Dr. Jedd and Dr. Doddleson , who arrived almost simultaneously . His carefully-arranged hair and whiskers , his well made unpretentious clothes , his spotless linen , would have done credit to an archbishop . Of all the cares and calculations of his long dreary night there was no trace , except a certain dulness in his eyes , and the dark half-circles below them .

9259

9

nine o'clock

he muttered to himself , as he wiped his forehead , which had grown cold and damp in the agony of his dream . He opened the shutters , and then looked at the clock on the mantelpiece . To his surprise he found that he had been sleeping three hours . It was nine o'clock . He went upstairs to dress . There was an unusual stir in the corridor above . Ann Woolper was standing there , with her hand on the door of the sick-room , talking to Diana , who covered her face suddenly as he approached , and disappeared into her own room .

9259

12

twelve o'clock

You could give me the money this afternoon , if you pleased . '' `` Well , I 'll think it over . It 's a matter in which I feel myself bound to take my solicitor 's opinion . Suppose you meet him here to-morrow at twelve o'clock ? You can bring the necessary evidence to support the claim -- the doctor 's and registrar 's certificate , and so on ? '' `` Yes , '' Mr. Sheldon answered , thoughtfully ; `` I will bring the documentary evidence . To-morrow at twelve , then . ''

9259

8

eight o'clock

There is a portmanteau upstairs in my room , ready packed . You will give it to the messenger I shall send in the course of the next day or two . At what time did Mrs. Sheldon and Miss Halliday leave this morning ? '' `` At eight o'clock , sir . Mr. Hawkehurst came to fetch them in a carriage . They went out by the kitchen passage and the side gate , sir , because you were asleep , Mrs. Woolper said , and was not to be disturbed . '' `` At eight .

9259

17

five o'clock in the afternoon

For him the word home had no tender associations , and the domestic hearth had never inspired him with any sense of comfort or pleasure with which he might not have been inspired by the luxurious fireside of a first-class coffee-room . He was a man who would have chosen to spend his existence in joint-stock hotels , if there had not been solidity of position to be acquired from the possession of a handsome house . He went to the Paddington church . It was only five o'clock in the afternoon by the clock of that edifice . The church was closely shut , but Mr. Sheldon found the clerk , who , in consideration of a handsome donation , took him to the vestry , and there showed him the register of marriages -- the last entry therein . Yes , there was Charlotte Halliday 's signature , a little uncertain and tremulous . `` I suppose you are one of the young lady 's relations , sir , '' said the clerk .

9259

0

midnight

If he had been a student of light literature , and imbued with the ghostly associations of the season , he would have gone to his door expecting to behold a weird figure clothed in the vestments of the last century ; or an old woman in ruff and martingale , whose figure in the flesh had once haunted those legal precincts ; or the ghostly semblance of the Baron of Verulam himself , revisiting the glimpses of the moon and the avenue of elms that were planted by his order . In George Sheldon 's nature there was , however , no lurking dread of fiend or phantom . His ideas in connection with ghosts were limited to a white sheet , a broomstick , and a hollow turnip with a lighted candle inside it ; and he would have set down the most awful apparition that ever was revealed to German ghost-seer , with a scornful grin , as a member of the sheet and-hollow-turnip confraternity . `` I know how it 's done , '' he would have said , if the spectral form had glowered upon him in midnight churchyard or ruined abbey . `` You 'd better go and try it on somewhere else , my friend . '' * * * * * To a superstitious mind the THING which crept across the dark lobby and dragged itself into the glare of the gas-lighted office might have seemed , indeed , some creature too loathsome for humanity . A plague-stricken corpse galvanized into a spasmodic life could scarcely have lifted to the light a more awful countenance than that on which George Sheldon looked with mingled anger and disgust .

9259

0

midnight

Was it not that our spectators were cunning to divine the words ? And your friend Lawsley -- it is a mixture of Got and Sanson . It is a true genius . Think , then , Diane , while we were amusing ourselves , our girls were at the midnight mass at the Sacré Coeur ? Dear pious children , their innocent prayers ascended towards the heavens for we who are absent . Come , Madame Hawkehurst , Diane , it makes cold . '' `` But we are sheltered here .

9259

1

nearly one o'clock

It was the first time the holiness of Christmas came home to my heart . And now let us go back to the drawing-room , and sit round the fire , and tell ghost stories . Lenoble shall give us the legends of Côtenoir . '' `` Valentine , '' murmured Charlotte , `` do you know that it is nearly one o'clock ? '' `` And we must put in an appearance at church to-morrow morning . And Lenoble has to walk to Kingston to early mass . We will postpone our ghost stories to New-Year 's eve .

24880

0

midnight

`` Keep her as she goes , and leave that black buoy to starboard . '' Then he stepped out on deck . Seamen , officers as well as men , accustomed to `` watch and watch , '' of four hours ' alternate duty and sleep , usually waken at eight bells , even when sure of an all night 's sleep . It was long after midnight when Denman had gone to sleep on the pantry floor , and the slight noise of getting under way did not arouse him ; but when eight bells came around again , he sat up , confused , not conscious that he had been called , but dimly realizing that the boat was at sea , and that he was culpable in not being on deck . The crew had come , no doubt , and he had over-slept . He did not immediately realize that it was still dark , and that if the crew had come the steward would have found him . He dressed hurriedly in his room , and went on deck , spying a fleeing man in brown mounting the steps ahead of him , and looked around .

24880

9

about nine o'clock

This he took off the ring and inserted in the lock . `` Lock your door every time you go in there , '' he said , impressively ; `` and , Florrie , another thing -- keep that pretty face of yours out of sight of these men . Go right in there now and replace the bandages . Then , after a while , about nine o'clock , go on deck for a walk around , and then let me have your rig . I want a daylight look at things . '' She acquiesced , and he went back to his room , locking himself in , just in time to escape the notice of Billings , who had come for the tray . `` Are you fellows going to deprive me of all exercise ? ''

24880

9

nine o'clock

`` Very good , sir , '' answered Billings as he went out . In a few moments he was back with the news that Forsythe had profanely denied the request . Whereat Denman 's heart hardened the more . He remained quiet until two bells -- nine o'clock -- had struck , then went out and approached the after door , just in time to see Florrie 's shadow pass across the glass as she mounted the stairs . He waited , and in about five minutes she came down , and , no doubt seeing his shadow on the door , tapped gently . He promptly opened it , and she said : `` Leave the door open and I will throw you my things in a minute . They are drinking up there . ''

24880

12

noon

Sampson had hinted at big things talked about . Billings had spoken of a vote -- to stay at sea or not . However , there could have been no vote since Billings ' last visit because of their condition . But Forsythe had indubitably taken chronometer sights in the morning , and , being most certainly sober , had doubtless worked them out and ascertained the longitude , which , with a meridian observation at noon , would give him the position of the yacht . The `` big things '' requiring a vote were all in Forsythe 's head , and he had merely anticipated the vote . Not knowing their position himself , except as indicated by the trade-wind clouds , Denman could only surmise that a west northwest course would hit the American coast somewhere between Boston and Charleston . But what they wanted there was beyond his comprehension .

24880

12

noon

`` Got them all in the forecastle , in double irons , with plenty of hard-tack and water . We need n't bother about them any more . Just keep your eyes open for a sail , or smoke on the horizon ; and if you see anything , call me . '' `` I will , '' she answered ; `` and I 'll have dinner ready at noon . '' `` That 's good . A few hours ' sleep will be enough , and then I 'll try and polish up what I once learned about wireless . And say , Florrie .

24880

12

noon

Next time you go below , look in the glass and see how nice you look . '' She turned her back to him , and he went down . In five minutes he was asleep . And , as he slipped off into unconsciousness , there came to his mind the thought that one man in the forecastle was not manacled ; and when Florrie wakened him at noon the thought was still with him , but he dismissed it . Jenkins was helpless for a while , unable to move or speak , and need not be considered . Florrie had proved herself a good cook , and they ate dinner together , then Denman went on deck . The boat was still rolling on a calm sea ; but the long , steady , low-moving hills of blue were now mingled with a cross swell from the northwest , which indicated a push from beyond the horizon not connected with the trade wind .