a quarter to eleven o'clock
He did not mention his loss to Florrie , not wishing to arouse further feminine speculation ; and when , at a later hour in this higher latitude , darkness had come , and full speed was rung to the engine room , he induced her to retire . `` I do n't know what 's up , '' he said ; `` but -- get all the sleep you can . I 'll call you if anything happens . '' He did not go to sleep himself , but smoked and waited while the humming turbines gathered in the miles -- one hour , two hours , nearly three -- until a quarter to eleven o'clock , when speed was reduced . Remembering his embarrassment of the morning , Denman did not seek the deck , but looked through his deadlight . Nothing but darkness met his eye ; it was a black night with rain . He entered the lighted wardroom and looked at the telltale above ; it told him that the boat was heading due north .