three minutes to nine
He simply bore on in the line he had marked out . He rose from the table and never looked back . His attitude seemed to say , `` I am going to Africa ; kindly get out of my way . '' At three minutes to nine -- that is to say , in one hour and a half -- Guy Oscard took his seat in the Plymouth express . He had ascertained that a Madeira boat was timed to sail from Dartmouth at eight o'clock that evening . He was preceded by a telegram to Lloyd 's agent at Plymouth : `` Have fastest craft available , steam up ready to put to sea to catch the Banyan African steamer four o'clock to-morrow morning . Expense not to be considered . ''