twelve o'clock
On the third morning the smell that came from the vault was such , that I accosted the same policeman I had accosted before , who was patrolling the same street , and told him that the persons I had spoken to him about were dead , and he had better have them removed . He looked as if he did not believe me , and added , that it was not his street . When I arrived at the docks on my way to the ship , I entered the guard-house within the walls , and asked for one of the captains , to whom I told the story ; but , from what he said , was led to infer that the Dock Police was distinct from that of the town , and this was not the right place to lodge my information . I could do no more that morning , being obliged to repair to the ship ; but at twelve o'clock , when I went to dinner , I hurried into Launcelott 's - Hey , when I found that the vault was empty . In place of the women and children , a heap of quick-lime was glistening . I could not learn who had taken them away , or whither they had gone ; but my prayer was answered -- they were dead , departed , and at peace . But again I looked down into the vault , and in fancy beheld the pale , shrunken forms still crouching there .