about ten o'clock at night
He met with no more difficulty than at Path , and informing the official who examined the dastaks that he would drop down to Amboa before tying up for the night , he drew out again into the stream . He spent some time in consultation with the serang . In a rather desolate reach of the Hugli , he learned that in the middle of the stream there was a small island , uninhabited save by teal and other waterfowl , and not known to be the haunt of tigers or other beasts of prey . Reaching this islet about ten o'clock at night , when all river traffic had ceased , he rowed in , and landed the Armenian with his crews . `` I thank you for your company , Coja Solomon , '' he said blandly . ` We must here part , to my regret , for I should like to have the pleasure of witnessing your meeting with Mr. Merriman . The nights are warm , and you will , I am sure , be quite comfortable till the morning , when no doubt a passing boat will take you off and convey you back to your business at Cossimbazar . ''