noon
I must see her before the fifth . '' Impetuous in all things , Valentine Jernam was not slow to act upon his resolution . He told his aunt that he had business to transact in London . He left Allanbay at noon , walked to Plymouth , took the afternoon coach , and rode into London on the following day . It was one o'clock when Captain Jernam found himself once more in the familiar seafaring quarter ; early as it was , the noise of riot and revelry had begun already . The landlord looked up with an expression of considerable surprise as the captain of the ` Pizarro ' crossed the threshold . `` Why , captain , '' he said , `` I thought we were n't to see you till the fifth . ''