about three o'clock in the morning
They must capture one of the giants and learn its secrets , and then , if possible , with the weapons and knowledge of two worlds , defeat them . A large order ! Their opportunity came sooner than they had hoped for -- or wanted . It was about three o'clock in the morning when the telephone warning hummed loudly through the ship . Arcot answered . Far to the east and south of them the line of scout planes that patrolled all the borders of Lanor had been broken . Instantaneously , it seemed , out of the dark , its lights obscured , the mighty Kaxorian craft had come , striking a tiny scout plane head on , destroying it utterly before the scout had a chance to turn from the path of the titanic ship .