Ten minutes past nine
On Mr. Slug 's bed is a long tin tube of about three inches in diameter , carefully closed at both ends . What can this contain ? Some powerful instrument of a new construction , doubtless . ' ` _ Ten minutes past nine _ . ` NOBODY has yet arrived , nor has anything fresh come in my way except several joints of beef and mutton , from which I conclude that a good plain dinner has been provided for to-morrow . There is a singular smell below , which gave me some uneasiness at first ; but as the steward says it is always there , and never goes away , I am quite comfortable again . I learn from this man that the different sections will be distributed at the Black Boy and Stomach-ache , and the Boot-jack and Countenance .