five o'clock, two hours earlier
He thought of what an embarrassing position he had been in when the Jewish merchant had insinuatingly inquired for the purpose of his journey . In his effort not to reveal the secret motive of his ocean crossing , Frederick had stammered and stuttered and given some sort of a vague reply . He decided that from now on , in answer to intrusive questioners , he would say he was going to America to see Niagara Falls , Yellowstone Park , and visit an old collegemate of his , also a physician . During the silent meal in the hotel , the news came that the _ Roland _ probably would reach the Needles at five o'clock , two hours earlier than was expected . Frederick took his coffee and smoked some Simon Arzt cigarettes with the German , who at the same time tried to do some business in his trade , which was ready-made clothing . The two men , carrying their luggage , then went to the tender together . Here they had an uncomfortable hour 's wait , while the low smoke-stack belched black vapours into the dirty drab mist that lay oppressively upon everything about the harbour .