four o'clock in the afternoon
`` It 's young fellows like Halstead , Joe Dawson and that queer genius , Hank Butts , who are needed to build up the American merchant marine once more , '' Prescott continued . Having been up all night most of the young officers were now glad to turn in for a few hours of sleep . Lieutenant Hal passed a wretched day of it . Toward four o'clock in the afternoon an orderly brought in the afternoon mail from the village . With the mail came two telegrams , one for Captain Foster and the other for Lieutenant Prescott . That latter young officer tore open his telegram eagerly , and read : `` Received , en route , your telegram stating you were ordered to Holmesville . Belle and I at once changed our route and are here at Holmesville , Eagle Hotel .