ten o'clock
After , darkness . The great tongue of flame was engulfed in the waters . The boys had been so absorbed in the terrible spectacle that they had taken no heed of time . But when the ship had gone down , they found that it was ten o'clock . Garside was a good three miles distant , so that it would be close upon eleven before they reached the school again . Three or four search-parties had been formed under the masters , and they met one of these as they neared the gates . It had been decided between Paul and Harry that nothing should be said about their adventures in the cave until Paul had had an explanation with Mr. Weevil .