three in the afternoon
A fresh wind was blowing by the morning , and two days later the lugger was running along , close under the coast , fifteen miles south of the mouth of the Loire , having kept that course in order to avoid any British cruisers that might be off the mouth of the river . Before morning they had passed St. Nazaire , and were running up the Loire . Frank had started early for a walk with one of his school friends . Returning through the town at three in the afternoon , he saw people talking in groups . They presently met one of their chums . `` What is going on , Vincent ? '' `` Why , have you not heard ?