six o'clock
In the day-time , so long as I kept a good look out , anything like a surprise attack was impossible , and after that night I made up my mind that I would sleep on the _ Betty _ . The only thing was , I should most certainly have to deprive myself of the luxury of a skipper . Useful as he was at taking letters into Tilbury , it would be decidedly embarrassing to have him on board if I happened to arrive in a hurry on the beach with two perspiring detectives in hot pursuit . At six o'clock , as there was still no sign of a visitor , I decided to walk over to the _ Betty _ and tell Mr. Gow that he could treat himself to another holiday . It would only take me about half an hour , and in case McMurtrie turned up while I was away I could leave a message on the door to the effect that I should be back before seven . I did this , pinning it up carefully with a drawing-tack and then after making sure that everything was secure I started off for the creek . I found Mr. Gow in his usual restful attitude , his head and shoulders sticking up out of the fo ` c 's ` le hatch , and a large pipe protruding from his mouth .