about midnight
I was however fated to hear the Jacobus note once more before I slept . Mr. Burns had gone ashore after the evening meal to have , as he said , `` a look round . '' As it was quite dark when he announced his intention I did n't ask him what it was he expected to see . Some time about midnight , while sitting with a book in the saloon , I heard cautious movements in the lobby and hailed him by name . Burns came in , stick and hat in hand , incredibly vulgarised by his smart shore togs , with a jaunty air and an odious twinkle in his eye . Being asked to sit down he laid his hat and stick on the table and after we had talked of ship affairs for a little while : `` I 've been hearing pretty tales on shore about that ship-chandler fellow who snatched the job from you so neatly , sir . '' I remonstrated with my late patient for his manner of expressing himself .