four o'clock
At any rate , he remained on the bridge until long after Iris had seen and admired the cluster of stars which oldtime navigators used to regard with awe . When shafts of white light began to taper , pennon-like , in the eastern sky , the girl went back to her cabin . Contrary to Hozier 's expectation , Coke did not attempt to draw from him any account of their conversation prior to the inexplicable mishap to the wheel . He examined a couple of charts , made a slight alteration in the course , and at four o'clock took charge of the bridge . `` Just ` ave a look round now while things is quiet , '' he said , nodding to Hozier confidentially . `` I 'll tell you wot I fancy : a rat dragged a bit of bone into a gear-box . If the plankin ' is badly worn anywhere , get the carpenter to see to it .