A quarter past one
Mr. Slug , who lies above Professor Grime , has cautiously withdrawn the curtains of his berth , and , after looking anxiously out , as if to satisfy himself that his companions are asleep , has taken up the tin tube of which I have before spoken , and is regarding it with great interest . What rare mechanical combination can be contained in that mysterious case ? It is evidently a profound secret to all . ' ` _ A quarter past one _ . ` THE behaviour of Mr. Slug grows more and more mysterious . He has unscrewed the top of the tube , and now renews his observations upon his companions , evidently to make sure that he is wholly unobserved . He is clearly on the eve of some great experiment .