four o'clock
Business had so occupied the Captain 's attention during the day , that he had no time to visit Manuel at the jail ; and when he returned to the vessel , a message awaited him from the British consul . One of the seamen had been detailed to fill Manuel 's place , who , with his dinner all prepared , reminded the Captain that it was awaiting him . He sat down , took dinner , and left to answer the consul 's call . Arriving at the office , he found the consul had left for his hotel , and would not return until four o'clock . As he passed the post-office , a knot of men stood in front of it , apparantly in anxious discussion . Feeling that their conversation might be interesting to him , or have some connection with his case , he walked slowly back , and as he approached them , observed that the conversation had become more excited . The principals were Mr. Grimshaw , and a factor on the bay , deeply interested in shipping .