nine o'clock
When Ralph awoke the next morning , and saw that it was past six , he hurriedly dressed himself , and , taking a look at Alfred , who was quietly sleeping , ascended the deck . He was surprised to see nothing but the open sea on all sides . Addressing a seaman , he asked : `` Have n't we reached Havre yet ? '' `` No ; we may not get there until nine o'clock . We have had reports of many submarines in the mouth of the channel , and they are , probably , lying in wait to intercept steamers going to or coming from Havre , '' replied the man . Pacing the deck he found many of the passengers excited at the news , although it was the policy of the officers to keep the most alarming information from them . Meeting the second officer he inquired about the captain , and was informed that he had just gone down to see Alfred .