A few minutes before nine o’clock
Would a sudden outburst of voices tell me that Ned Land 's escape plans had just been detected ? A ghastly uneasiness stole through me . I tried in vain to recover my composure . A few minutes before nine o'clock , I glued my ear to the captain 's door . Not a sound . I left my stateroom and returned to the lounge , which was deserted and plunged in near darkness . I opened the door leading to the library .