eleven
o'clock
No one had seen the writing in the bottle beside myself -LRB- though evidently it must have been known to others -RRB- , and it was certain that if any person had succeeded in unearthing the hidden wealth , he would not have taken the trouble to hide all signs with such extreme care . Closer examination , too , convinced me there had been no digging about the tree at all . And yet I was mistaken . We three reached the old poplar the next evening between ten and eleven o'clock . Arthur had escaped inquiry by slipping out of his bedroom window after bidding his parents good-night ; and , inasmuch as the lantern which I carried was not lit until we arrived at the tree , we were confident of escaping attention . Still I watched sharply , and was greatly relieved to discover no persons abroad at that hour beside ourselves . Since the treasure was located but three feet below the surface , in sandy soil , I brought only one shovel , while the boys watched me , one holding the lantern , and both casting furtive glances around to guard against eavesdroppers .