twelve o'clock
It was a great relief to his mind to know that there was no fear of discovery . The tip of his nose itched , and he rubbed it mechanically ; the rubbing brought away all the skin . He remembered the hot poker -- the money he had been forced to pay -- his being made to sing and to beg pardon on his knees ; and he cursed Moggy in his heart , the more so , as he felt that he dare not take any steps against her . When he came to the Point , he stood on the shingle , looking for his boat , but the men had waited till twelve o'clock , and then presuming that their commander did not intend to come at all that night , had pulled on board again . He was looking round for a waterman to pull him off , when something cold touched his hand . Vanslyperken started , and almost screamed with fear . He looked , and it was the cold nose of Snarleyyow , who now leaped upon his master .