midnight
I never before or since knew his natural flow of eloquence to waver as in this instance -- a rarity that of itself makes the remark worthy of record . Doctor Castleton soon , against all protests , bounded out of the door , as he had bounded in ; and then Bainbridge and I discussed the astonishing possibilities should it prove true that Dirk Peters was within our reach . We concluded that Castleton 's statement was one of great importance , and we agreed upon a course of procedure . We spent the remainder of the evening in a manner very enjoyable to myself , and evidently gratifying to Doctor Bainbridge ; and it was past midnight when we separated . The following morning I looked up Doctor Castleton ; and he , ever courteous and obliging , did more than consent to permit me to drive out to the home of his patient , Peters . He proposed that I wait a day , as he knew that Peters would within that time , and might any hour , send for him ; and as soon as he was summoned he would notify me , and together we would drive out to the old sailor 's residence -- which , the doctor said , was a small , two-roomed log structure , where the old man dwelt entirely alone . The FOURTH Chapter The summons from Doctor Castleton to accompany him came sooner than he had led me to expect ; and at a little past noon of the same day on which he had made his promise to take me with him to see Dirk Peters , I received a message , saying that if agreeable to me he would at two o'clock be in front of my hotel , prepared to start for the home of the old sailor .