a quarter to seven
Another wagon had been sent off for the balloon ; and a number of people now set out to search for the bags of dispatches , etc. which had been thrown out during the last part of the descent . The Sous Prefect at the island placed his house at once at their disposal . But they said that they would rather go to a hotel , first , and take a hot bath -- which the doctor recommended them -- but should be very happy to breakfast with him , after that . Before going to the hotel , however , Monsieur Teclier sent off a dispatch to Tours ; saying that he had arrived at Belle Isle with news from Paris , at a quarter to seven ; and that , at that time , everything was going on well . He next inquired as to means of reaching the mainland . The wind was dead off shore , and a sailing vessel would have taken a long time to make the passage . However , there was a small steamer in harbor ; and the Sous Prefect took upon himself to engage that the fires should be lighted , at once , and that they should cross in two or three hours .