noon before
I wonder what that big mystery really is ? '' When the boys reached Beaufort and had tied up at a wharf , it was still too early to expect to find any shops open . They left Hank on watch , however , and went up into the town , Joe to look , presently , for a dealer in electrical supplies , while Captain Tom sought a ship 's joiner to fit and hang a new hatch to replace that smashed in the affair of the night before . Both boys were presently successful , though it was noon before the joiner had his task finished . While the last of the work on the new hatch was being done , Tom and Joe went once more uptown to get a message from Mr. Seaton 's attorney regarding the date when the formal hearing of the men arrested the night before would take place in court . Hank Butts was left to watch over the boat and keep an eye over the joiner . `` Any strangers around here ? ''