nearly eleven o'clock
The shops had closed by the time he got into the street again , and he walked down and watched with much solemnity the reflection of the quay lamps in the dark water of the harbour . The air was keen and the various craft distinct in the starlight . Perfect quiet reigned aboard the Seabird , and after a vain attempt to screw up his courage to see the victim taken aboard he gave it up and walked back along the beach . By the time he turned his steps homewards it was nearly eleven o'clock . Fullalove Alley was quiet , and after listening for some time at his window he turned the handle of the door and passed in . The nearly empty bottle stood on the table , and an over-turned tumbler accounted for a large , dark patch on the table-cloth . As he entered the room the kitchen door opened and Mr. Nathan Smith , with a broad smile on his face , stepped briskly in .