nearly ten o'clock in the evening
He went to sleep after a while , and we will leave him in this oblivious condition while we follow Laud Cavendish , who , it can not be denied , was in a most unhappy frame of mind . He ran the Juno up to her moorings , and after he had secured her sail , and locked up the cabin door , he went on shore . Undoubtedly he had done an immense amount of heavy thinking within the last two hours , and as he was not overstocked with brains , it wore upon him . It was nearly ten o'clock in the evening , but late as it was , Laud walked directly to the house of Captain Shivernock . There was a light in the strange man 's library , or office , and another in the dining-room , where the housekeeper usually sat , which indicated that the family had not retired . Laud walked up to the side door , and rang the bell , which was promptly answered by Mrs. Sykes . `` Is Captain Shivernock at home ? ''