A quarter to ten
So chilly indeed was it that before we had gone very far I began to wish I had added an overcoat to my other disguises . We hardly spoke , but pulled slowly down towards the island mentioned in the letter . The strain on our nerves was intense , and I must confess to feeling decidedly nervous as I wondered what would happen if the police boat did not pull up to meet us , as we had that morning arranged . A quarter to ten chimed from some church ashore as we approached within a hundred yards of our destination . Then I rested on my oars and waited . All round us were the lights of bigger craft , but no rowing-boat could I see . About five minutes before the hour I whispered to Wetherell to make ready , and in answer the old gentleman took a matchbox from his pocket .