midnight
So , when the shore boat came , it had but two passengers to take from the submarine . There were a few shore leave men , however , from , the gunboat . `` This boat will return to the fleet , gentlemen , every hour up to midnight , '' stated the petty officer in charge , as Jack and Hal stepped ashore at a rickety little wharf . `` Judging from what we can see of the town from here , we 'll be ready to go back long before midnight , '' Jack Benson laughingly told his companion . `` All I want is to shake some of the sea-roll out of my gait , '' nodded Hastings . `` It surely does n't seem to be much of a town . '' By way of public buildings there turned out to be a church , locked and dark , a general store and also a drug-store that contained the local post-office .