nine o'clock in the
morning
Of course , he would carry with him a good heavy cudgel , and choose a thoroughfare where there are people about to speak to her , and not an unfrequented passage , for you may be sure the fellow would have no hesitation in running him through if he could do so without being observed . '' `` Matthew is a stout fellow , '' John Wilkes said , `` and was as smart a sailor as any on board till he had his foot smashed by being jammed by a spare spar that got adrift in a gale , so that the doctors had to cut off the leg under the knee , and leave him to stump about on a timber toe for the rest of his life . I tell you what , Master Cyril : we might make the thing safer still if I spin the Captain a yarn as how Matthew has strained his back and ai n't fit to work for a bit ; then I can take on another hand to work in the yard , and we can put him on watch all day . He might come on duty at nine o'clock in the morning , and stop until I relieve him as soon as supper is over . Of course , he would not keep opposite the house , but might post himself a bit up or down the street , so that he could manage to keep an eye on the door . '' `` That would be excellent , '' Cyril said . `` Of course , at the supper-hour he could go off duty , as she could not possibly leave the house between that time and nine o'clock .