midnight
`` She 's a queen , '' I murmured . `` Queen ! That girl must be a royal straight flush in hearts , and if it were n't for Nell I 'd adore her to the tips of my teeth ! '' At midnight I sent the mate to relieve Gates and gave the wheel to a likely sailor , and after making sure they understood the signals we went below for a bite to eat . Although the day of suspense had been wearing , my brain was too active to permit much thought of sleep ; but finally Gates nodded , awoke with a jerk , and started off to bed . He had had no easy time of it on the bowsprit , good old Gates ! Tommy and I talked in low tones while the professor sat to one side , humped over and buried in thought .