one o'clock
`` I was not ; not even as sick as I am at this moment , '' replied Christy , using his handkerchief . `` I do n't understand it , '' said Captain Battleton , shaking his head . `` Now , captain , will you permit me ask what you do not understand , for I assure you I am profoundly ignorant of the situation which perplexes you . I was ordered to be on board of the Vernon at one o'clock , and I found her under way at eleven . I happened to find a boatman before I left the ferry-boat , who put me on board , or I should have missed my passage . That is simply all I know about the matter . '' `` When I called upon you in your stateroom this morning , you told me that '' -- `` I beg your pardon , Captain Battleton , but I have not been in any stateroom , sick or well , on board of the Vernon , and I respectfully suggest that it was quite impossible for you to have called upon me this morning , or at any other time , '' Christy interposed , very pleasantly , though quite as perplexed as the commander .