eleven o'clock
Two or three of the black boys had skipped out at the last minute , as they always do , and we were short-handed . Mac said the fellow did n't look as if he could stand much , but he took him anyhow . '' Once more the slender thread of investigation lay broken in her hands . The robbery had been committed at or very near eleven o'clock , and an hour would have given the robber time enough to disguise himself and reach the steamer . But since the captain did not seem altogether positive as to the exact hour , she tried again . `` Please try to remember exactly , Captain Mayfield , '' she pleaded . `` I _ must _ find out , if I can -- for reasons which I ca n't explain to any one .