nine o'clock
`` No , Bob , '' said Nellie , catching another quizzical look from the Captain just at that moment , `` I do n't think that . I 'm sure he means something from that way he winked at us . Besides , Bob , he promised , and you know that Captain Dresser never breaks his word ! '' Presently the report of the nine o'clock gun rolled through the night air , its echoes reverberating fainter and fainter until lost in the distance to seaward . `` By Jove ! '' exclaimed the Captain , throwing his cards on the table and rising from his seat , -- `` It 's time for me to say good-night , or I sha n't get any beauty sleep ! '' `` It 's not so very late , '' said Mrs Gilmour , rising and going towards the open window looking over the Common .