nine o'clock
`` I thought of getting the _ Shipping Gazette _ , and perhaps the _ Telegraphy _ and consulting their advertisement pages , with the view of learning what ships are on the berth for South African ports , where they are lying , and their date of sailing . '' `` An excellent idea , '' declared the Doctor . `` As soon as Polly has put breakfast upon the table we will send her out to get the papers , and you can consult them and prepare a list of likely vessels before you go out . '' This was done ; and by nine o'clock , Dick , having breakfasted , was ready to sally forth on the first stage of his journey in quest of fortune , duly armed with a slip of paper containing a list of some half-dozen ships loading for South Africa , `` with quick dispatch . '' And two hours later he returned to the surgery , his visage beaming with satisfaction . `` Hurrah , Doctor ! '' he exclaimed , as he dashed in through the open doorway .