eight o'clock
The appearance on the scene of the Earl of Valletort and Count Ladislas Vassilan at a moment which , though undeniably critical , might be described as either opportune or inopportune -- the choice of an adjective depending solely on the varying points of view of the one who gave and the one who received that powerful thump on the nose -- was due to no feat of skill on the part of the engine-room staff of the _ Switzerland _ , but to a judicious combination of wireless telegraphy , money , and influence . When it became evident , very early in the morning , that the vessel might , with luck , crawl up to the quarantine station about midnight , urgent messages were sent to two consulates and the Port Authorities of New York . In the result , a fast steam-yacht drew up alongside the vessel when she took the pilot on board , and the two magnates and their baggage were transferred from the disabled liner to the deck of the trim yacht . She made praiseworthy efforts to reach a quay and a batch of Customs officers before eight o'clock , but failed by five minutes . Consequently , some slight delay was experienced , and , with the best of good will on the part of the officials , the two fuming passengers could not fling themselves into a waiting automobile until nearly twenty minutes past the hour . Then , however , they made up for lost time . Intrusting their belongings to a porter and a taxi , with instructions to proceed to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel , they bade the chauffeur travel at top speed to No. 1000 59th Street .