midnight
`` To sail as soon as possible : -- 't is well , sir . Have you your despatches ? '' `` I sent to the admiral 's for them , '' replied Vanslyperken . `` Well then , be all ready to start at midnight . I shall come on board about a quarter of an hour before ; you may go , sir . '' Vanslyperken quailed under the keen eye and stern look of Ramsay , and obeyed the uncourteous order in silence ; still he thought of revenge as he walked back to the boat and re-embarked in the cutter . `` What 's this , Short ? ''