About two o'clock
Naturally enough I declined , with the result that Bastable arrested me on a magistrate 's warrant as soon as I landed from the ferry . '' `` That is the man , '' said Mrs. Adair , and she told Durrance the history of the fire . It appeared that Bastable 's claim to Dermod 's friendship rested upon his skill in preparing a particular brew of toddy , which needed a single oyster simmering in the saucepan to give it its perfection of flavour . About two o'clock of a June morning the spirit lamp on which the saucepan stewed had been overset ; neither of the two confederates in drink had their wits about them at the moment , and the house was half burnt and the rest of it ruined by water before the fire could be got under . `` There were consequences still more distressing than the destruction of the house , '' she continued . `` The fire was a beacon warning to Dermod 's creditors for one thing , and Dermod , already overpowered with debts , fell in a day upon complete ruin . He was drenched by the water hoses besides , and took a chill which nearly killed him , from the effects of which he has never recovered .