Quarter past one
cried Titmouse , excitedly ; and their hands were quickly locked together . `` If we do n't mismanage the thing , we shall be all right yet , Titty ; but you wo n't do anything without speaking to _ me _ first -- will you , Titty ? '' `` The thoughts of it all going right again is enough to set me wild , Hucky -- But what shall we do to set the thing going again ? '' '' _ Quarter past one ! _ '' quivered the voice of the paralytic watchman beneath , startling the friends out of their exciting colloquy ; his warning being at the same time silently seconded by the long-wicked candle , burning within half an inch of its socket . They hastily agreed that Titmouse should immediately write to Messrs. Quirk , Gammon , and Snap , a proper -LSB- _ i. e. _ a most abject -RSB- letter , solemnly pledging himself to obey their injunctions in everything for the future , and offering them a handsome reward for their exertions , if successful . `` Well -- good-night , Huck !