nine o'clock
`` There is no great use in being in a hurry , '' said the Pilot ; `` the more haste the less speed , you know . '' `` True ; but might not these bars have been sawn through before ? If this had been done , our flight would have been , at least , less precipitate . '' `` You forget , Mr. Wolston , '' said the captain , `` that we did not know till nine o'clock the affair was to come off to-night . '' `` And I could not come any sooner to tell you , '' remarked the Pilot ; `` I had the greatest difficulty in the world to get in here ; the maritime commissary would not take me into custody . '' `` I forgot to ask you how you contrived to get incarcerated , '' observed the captain ; `` you were not a prisoner , and could not plead your parole . '' `` No ; and consequently I had to plead something else . ''