a quarter to four
At a quarter to five suddenly the Bishop light shot through the gloom , but immediately after a shutter was interposed quickly some half-a-dozen times . It was the signal of distress , and the lugger worked out to the Bishop with the tide . Of the three keepers there were now only two . It appeared from their account that Garstin took the middle day watch , that they themselves were asleep , and that Garstin should have roused them to light the lamps at a quarter to four . They woke of their own accord in the dark , and at once believed they had slept into the night . The clock showed them it was half-past four . They mounted to the lantern room , and nowhere was there any sign of Garstin .