5 o'clock
He put out his hands to push it back -- and immediately his hands were lost too . `` Really , '' murmured the professor , `` this is most interesting ! '' Nevertheless , he reclaimed his hands and placed them firmly in his coat pockets . He began to wish that he had stayed with Mr. Johnston in the boat shed , pending the arrival of the launch which , so certain letters in his pocket informed him , would leave Johnston 's wharf at 5 o'clock , or there-abouts , Mondays and Fridays . Mr. Johnston had felt very uncertain about this . `` Though she does happen along off and on , '' he said optimistically , `` and she might come today . Not , '' he added with commendable caution , `` that I 'd call old Doc .