nine o'clock in the
evening
`` We could not have timed it better , '' the captain said . `` It will be getting dark before they can make us out even from the cliffs . '' Every sail was now scrutinized by the captain through his glass , but he saw nothing that looked suspicious . At nine o'clock in the evening the lugger was within three miles of the coast . `` Get ready the signal lanterns , '' the captain ordered . And a few minutes later three lanterns were hoisted , one above the other . Almost immediately two lights were shown in a line on top of the cliff .