one o'clock
`` My head swims now ; what was it , corporal ? '' `` It was de ghost of de poy , '' replied the corporal . `` Yes , yes , '' replied Vanslyperken , falling back on his pillow . It had been intended by the conspirators , that Smallbones should make his appearance in the cabin , as the bell struck one o'clock ; but the effect had already been so serious that it was thought advisable to defer any further attempts . As for Smallbones being concealed in the vessel for any length of time there was no difficulty in that ; for allowing that Vanslyperken should go forward on the lower deck of the vessel , which he never did , Smallbones had only to retreat into the eyes of her , and it was there so dark that he could not be seen . They therefore regulated their conduct much in the same way as the members of the inquisition used to do in former days ; they allowed their patient to recover , that he might be subjected to more torture . It was not until the fourth day , that the cutter arrived at the port of Amsterdam , and Mr Vanslyperken had kept his bed ever since he had been put into it ; but this he could do no longer , he rose weak and emaciated , dressed himself , and went on shore with the despatches which he first delivered , and then bent his steps to the syndic 's house , where he delivered his letters to Ramsay .