quarter past twelve
Captain Sumter was a devoted husband and father , a capital officer , and a gentleman to the core , but the captain could be just a trifle distant at times , and this was one of them . Another house was virtually closed to question . To the disappointment of many and the disapprobation of a few , Bob Lanier had closeted himself with his classmate and most intimate friend `` Dad '' Ennis ; then , after a brief colloquy with Barker , the adjutant , had caused a big card to be tacked on his door whereon was crayoned in bold black letters `` BUSY . '' But at quarter past twelve the assistant surgeon , Doctor Schuchardt , called , as was known , for the second time , and entered without ceremony . When the officer-of-the-day came tramping along the boardwalk at 12.30 , and turned in at the gate , he struck the panel with the hilt of his sabre , by way of hint that his call was official and not to be denied . Ennis , therefore , came to the door , but came with gloomy brow . `` I am ordered by Colonel Button to ask certain questions of Lieutenant Lanier , '' said the official from the depths of his fur cap .