noon
The next instant he was struck upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning , and the snuffbox , describing a yellow circle against the light of the door , disappeared into the darkness of the night beyond . Ere he could recover himself another blow smote him upon the breast , and he fell headlong from the platform , as through infinite space . * * * * * The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his accustomed hour , and the morning wore along without his appearing at his desk . By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the community , and about two o'clock , the tide being then set out pretty strong , Mr. Tompkins , the consumptive clerk , and two sailors from the _ Sarah Goodrich _ , then lying at Mr. Hoppins 's wharf , went down in a yawl-boat to learn , if possible , what had befallen him . They coasted along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any vestige of the missing Collector . Then at last they saw him lying at a little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach , where , judging from his position and from the way he had composed himself to rest , he appeared to have been overcome by liquor . At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore , and making the best of his way over the slippery stones exposed at low water , came at last to where his chief was lying .