nine o’clock
As an aftermath of that episode I was probably scenting mysteries where there were none . Nevertheless , I wondered -- though I called myself a fool for it -- if any more queer things would happen before this ship on which we five bold voyagers were confined should reach the other side . They did . Toward nine o'clock to my relief it became obvious that the _ Re d'Italia _ was really going to sail at last . The first and second whistles , sounding raucously , sent the company officials and the family of the young officer of reserves ashore . The plank was lowered ; between the ship and the looming pier a thread of black water appeared and grew ; a flash and an explosion indicated that the possibly doomed liner had been filmed according to schedule . `` _ Evviva l'Italia _ ! ''