eleven
o'clock
He was surprised , for , since they were on active duty , they were supposed to be always in readiness at the headquarters of the Troop unless detached with special orders . Finally , after hunting for them for half an hour , he asked Bob Hart about them . Bob , who , as Patrol Leader of the Crow Patrol , ranked during the maneuvers as a sergeant , seemed surprised . `` I gave them permission to be absent from headquarters until eleven o'clock , '' he said . `` Did n't you know they were going to ask for it ? '' `` I did not , '' said Jack , decidedly surprised . Pete and Tom had known of the chance that he might meet Broom , and he wondered how it was that they were willing to be absent at a time when he might need them .