about midnight
`` I thank you , Captain Battleton , for your very kind interest in the state of my health , but with the exception of the first signs of a cold in the head , I never was better in my life , '' said Christy in reply to the salutation of the commander , still holding his hand . `` Then you have improved wonderfully since last evening , '' added Captain Battleton . `` I am glad to be informed of the fact , for I am not conscious of any such improvement as you describe . In fact , I am not in quite so good condition in a sanitary point of view as I was last evening , for I took my cold about midnight , or a little later , last night , '' added Christy , his smile becoming a little more pronounced . It was now the turn of Captain Battleton to be puzzled , if not mystified , by the statement of his passenger , and he looked inquiringly into his face as if to ascertain if he was not the victim of a practical joke . But naval officers on duty are not given to pleasantries ; and if he had any such suspicion , he banished it at once , for there was nothing in the appearance of the lieutenant to warrant it . `` Pardon me , Mr. Passford , but were you not sick when you came on board of the Vernon last evening ? ''