nine o'clock
And keep silent till we return . `` Remember , I will give three long hails when we start to come back . Those will warn you not to shoot if you see dim figures in the night . Either we shall be back in these lines by nine o'clock , or -- '' `` Or we will go after you ! '' came the voice of `` Captain Alden , '' with a little catch of anxiety not at all masculine . Something in the femininity of her promise stirred the Master 's heart a second , but he dismissed it . `` Either we shall return by nine , or never , '' he said calmly .