three o'clock
`` I am sorry , Cantor , '' said Captain Gales , `` but the admiral 's orders leave me no discretion in the matter . '' Captain Gales , as he spoke , turned his back in order to reach for a report book behind hum . Ten minutes later Commander Bainbridge was summoned in hot haste to the Captain 's office . `` Bainbridge , '' announced Captain Gales , his face stern and set , `` at three o'clock a bulky envelope lay on my desk . That envelope contained the full plan of the Navy landing in Vera Cruz , in case such landing becomes necessary . All that we are to accomplish , and even the duties of the different officers and detachments from this fleet were stated in that letter . Not later than within the last half-hour that envelope has disappeared ! ''