five minutes after midday
`` I have no further use for dross , '' replied Von Rotterdaam ; and I judge that at that moment he faded from their sight , for almost immediately he appeared in my cabin . I was tired and irritated , so I said nothing , pretending to be asleep , never for an instant believing that Sullivan would do so foolish a thing . `` He does n't ever think of consequences ; but he 's not such an ass as to cut a hole a yard square in the bottom of this ship , '' I said to myself ; and then , worn out , I really slept . How it happened I do not know ; possibly that infernal ghost in some manner drugged me ; but it was not until five minutes after midday , just three hours ago , that I awoke , and my heart stood still as I heard the action of a saw deep down in the hold . `` Heavens ! '' I cried , starting up . `` The idiot 's at it ! ''