nine in the morning
`` Galloping consumption he means , '' said the English coadjutor of Mr. Van der Velsen . `` In good truth then it must have galloped , '' said Bertram ; `` for last night -- '' `` Well , Sir , no matter how or when , you hear that the Captain is dead : we are not his doctors , but his executors : and , if you owe him any money , you will pay it to me or to this gentleman . Or , '' -- he added on observing that Bertram laughed at such a conceit as that of the worthy Captain 's having suffered any man to leave the Fleurs-de-lys in his debt , -- `` Or , if you owe nothing to his estate , perhaps out of love you will join us to-morrow on the road to Ap Gauvon : '' and at the same time he put into Bertram 's hand a written paper of the following tenor , but without date or subscription : `` In full confidence that you are a good Christian , and that you patronize freedom of trade , we hereby invite you to attend the funeral of the late Captain le Harnois ; a worthy Christian , and one who admired -- patronized -- and personally promoted unlimited freedom of trade by every means in his power . The place of rendezvous is Huntingcross , near the sea-side by Aberkilvie ; the time nine in the morning . If any other engagement should interfere with your attending at this hour and place , you will be so good as to join us on the road to Griffith ap Gauvon . Finally , dear christian brother , out of affection to the memory of the deceased have the kindness to bring a cudgel with you not less than two inches thick , and three and a half feet long . '' Bertram mused a little on this last item in the invitation : but , recollecting that it might possibly be part of the etiquette in Welsh funeral solemnities , and being at any rate certain that the funeral had the highest possible sanction , -- he said at length `` Well , gentlemen , -- I can not say that I owe the deceased Captain any money , or much love .