six
o'clock in the evening
It was only six o'clock , but night had closed in three hours ago . The coast-guard looked neither to one side nor the other , but ran on at the pace of one who had run far and knows that he can not afford to lose his breath ; for his night 's work was only begun . The coast-guard station stands on the left-hand side of the street , a long , low house in a bare garden . In answer to the loud summons , a red-faced little man opened the door and let out into the night a smell of bloaters and tea -- the smell that pervades all Farlingford at six o'clock in the evening . `` Something on the Inner Curlo Bank , '' shouted the coast-guard in his face , and turning on his heel , he ran with the same slow , organised haste , leaving the red-faced man finishing a mouthful on the mat . The next place of call was at River Andrew 's , the little low cottage with rounded corners , below the church . `` Come out o ' that , '' said the coast-guard , with a contemptuous glance of snow-rimmed eyes at River Andrew 's comfortable tea-table .