One o'clock
For a small port there was a goodly array of shipping , and Mr. Chalk 's pulse beat faster as his gaze wandered impartially from a stately barque in all the pride of fresh paint to dingy , sea-worn ketches and tiny yachts . Uncertain how to commence operations , they walked thoughtfully up and down the quay . If any of the craft were for sale there was nothing to announce the fact , and the various suggestions which Mr. Chalk threw off from time to time as to the course they should pursue were hardly noticed . `` One o'clock , '' said Mr. Stobell , extracting a huge silver timepiece from his pocket , after a couple of wasted hours . `` Let 's have something to eat before we do any more , '' said Mr. Tredgold . `` After that we 'll ferry over and look at the other side . '' They made their way to the `` King of Hanover , '' an old inn , perched on the side of the harbour , and , mounting the stairs , entered the coffee-room , where Mr. Stobell , after hesitating for some time between the rival claims of roast beef and grilled chops , solved the difficulty by ordering both .