eleven o'clock
But the next morning I was up betimes , and , having breakfasted , went ashore in a shore boat and presented myself for admittance at the admiral 's office , so as to catch him as soon as the old fellow should arrive from Kingston . Prior to this , however , I had sighted and identified the little _ Francesca _ , lying about half a mile farther up the harbour , looking as smart and saucy as though she had never been mauled by a pirate . There were very few people moving so early in the morning , and I hastened to take shelter in the office , as I was anxious to avoid meeting any of my former friends or acquaintances until I had first had an interview with Sir Timothy . It was getting well on toward eleven o'clock when at length his barge dashed up alongside the wharf , and he came bustling along toward his office , smartening up this , that , and the other person who did not seem to be infusing a proper amount of energy into his work as he came along . As he entered I heard the office messenger say something to him in a low tone , to which he responded : `` What ? Nonsense ! you must be mistaken , Mooney , or else you have been drinking this morning . ''