quarter to nine
Leaving the boat there , he would tramp six miles up the island and catch the early steamer for Stonington . Beyond that his plans did not go . A flicker of light from the dying fire in the stove fell on the face of the alarm-clock ticking tinnily on the shelf . It was quarter to nine . Percy woke to the need of acting at once . At midnight Filippo would get up to make coffee and warm the baked beans and corn-bread for Spurling and Stevens , who were to start for the hake-grounds not far from one . By that time he must be miles away -- too far , at any rate , to be overtaken .