seven o'clock in the evening
And still the dreaded mandarin made no sign . `` At length the ship was within twenty-four hours of Marseilles , to which port a large part of the cargo was consigned . Active preparations were being made for entering the port , and among other things the shore tackle was being overhauled . A share in this latter work fell to Foucault and Parratt , and about the middle of the second dog-watch -- seven o'clock in the evening -- they were sitting on the deck working an eye-splice in the end of a large rope . Suddenly Foucault , who was facing forward , saw his companion turn pale and stare aft with an expression of terror . He immediately turned and looked over his shoulder to see what Parratt was staring at . It was the mandarin , standing by the companion , gravely watching them ; and as Foucault turned and met his gaze , the Chinaman beckoned and went below .