five o’clock
Uneasy were the slumbers of Mr. Percy Noakes that night ; he tossed and tumbled about , and had confused dreams of steamers starting off , and gigantic clocks with the hands pointing to a quarter-past nine , and the ugly face of Mr. Alexander Briggs looking over the boat 's side , and grinning , as if in derision of his fruitless attempts to move . He made a violent effort to get on board , and awoke . The bright sun was shining cheerfully into the bedroom , and Mr. Percy Noakes started up for his watch , in the dreadful expectation of finding his worst dreams realised . It was just five o'clock . He calculated the time -- he should be a good half-hour dressing himself ; and as it was a lovely morning , and the tide would be then running down , he would walk leisurely to Strand-lane , and have a boat to the Custom-house . He dressed himself , took a hasty apology for a breakfast , and sallied forth . The streets looked as lonely and deserted as if they had been crowded , overnight , for the last time .