two
in the afternoon
I surrendered to save the Arsenal and perhaps Petersburg from destruction under circumstances which I can not now explain '' -- `` Thank you , sir , that is quite enough ! A pretty story , truly ! And you ask me to believe this , and to give up that priceless air-ship on such grounds as these -- a story that would hardly deceive a child ? You captured nine of the Tsar 's war-balloons this morning , had an interview with his Majesty , got this letter from him at Cüstrin -- more than five hundred miles away , and bring it here , and it is barely two in the afternoon ! `` No , gentlemen , I am too old a sailor to be taken in by a yarn like that . I believe this letter to be a forgery , and I will not give the air-ship up on its authority . '' `` That is your last word , is it ? ''