two
o'clock
Taking heed not to turn the lamp toward the ship , lest their movements should be overheard and a head pop up out of the hatch , he led the way quietly to the rear of the wharf . A rough road climbed the hill to the left , and , as this direction offered the only probable means of regaining the car , they took it . After a long climb they reached a better road , which ultimately brought them into a main thoroughfare . Then Curtis bethought him of looking at his watch , and was astonished to find that the hour was half-past two o'clock . `` By Jove ! '' he cried . `` We must have consumed fully half an hour over that trip .