midnight
they exclaimed , coming to a sudden stand , like three pillars of snow-clad astonishment . `` Ay , '' replied the doctor , who affected to be quite cool upon all occasions , and rather cooler than usual if the occasion was more than ordinarily exciting -- `` ay , we _ do _ mean it . Old Rogan has got the packet , and is even now disembowelling it . '' `` More than that , '' interrupted the skipper , who sat smoking as usual by the stove , with his hands in his breeches pockets -- `` more than that , I saw him dissecting into the very marrow of the thing ; so if we do n't storm the old admiral in his cabin , he 'll go to sleep over these prosy yarns that the governor-in-chief writes to him , and we 'll have to whistle for our letters till midnight . '' The skipper 's remark was interrupted by the opening of the outer door and the entrance of the butler . `` Mr. Rogan wishes to see you , sir , '' said that worthy to the accountant . `` I 'll be with him in a minute , '' he replied , as he threw off his capote and proceeded to unwind himself as quickly as his multitudinous haps would permit .