about midnight
`` Why , '' he said , `` even if we knew what he knows it 's too late to do anything , unless _ he _ does it . And he wo n't . He wo n't quit firing until Waters blows up . '' `` I 've a good notion , '' said Brett , `` to get out my pigeon gun , take the club launch , board the _ Sappho _ about midnight , hold the gun to old Merriman 's head , and make him promise to save the country ; or else make him put to sea , and keep him there . If he were kidnapped and could n't unload any more securities , the market would pull up by itself . '' The young men chuckled , for the idea amused them in spite of their troubles . By a common impulse they turned and looked at the club 's thirty-foot naphtha launch at anchor off the club 's dock ; and by a common impulse they both pointed at her , and both exclaimed : `` The _ Monitor _ ! ''