one o'clock
His only plea could be that he had not heard and understood the order to return . But this plea would be invalidated if he aided in the escape of two men , whom he must know were wanted by the police . I was therefore very confident that if his passengers asked to be set ashore , the captain would refuse when he had had time to think about his own danger . My estimate proved accurate , for towards one o'clock the lock-keeper came in and said the green and red lights of an approaching craft were visible , and as he spoke the yacht whistled for the opening of the lock . I stood by the lock-keeper while he opened the gates ; my men and the local police were concealed on each side of the lock . The launch came slowly in , and as soon as it had done so I asked the captain to step ashore , which he did . ` I wish a word with you , ' I said .