About nine o'clock
Monday was a cold , dreary , disagreeable day . The wind continued northeast ; a fine , drizzly rain was falling , and a thick fog had settled over the lake , which effectually concealed the camp of the Rovers from the main shore . An excursion had been planned for the day by the two boat clubs ; but the weather was so unpropitious that it was abandoned . About nine o'clock , however , the members of the clubs began to assemble at their halls in search of such recreation as could be found indoors . Frank opened the Zephyr 's boat-house as usual , and great was his dismay when he discovered that the boat was not in its berth . Calling Uncle Ben from the stable , he announced to him the astounding intelligence that the Zephyr had been stolen ! `` What does it mean , Uncle Ben ? ''