Midnight
He went away . Instantly the two figures were again upon their feet , and the sawing recommenced . For three hours the work continued , interrupted at intervals by the visits of the sentry . Midnight was past before Desmond , with cramped limbs and aching head , gave the word for the song and accompaniment to cease , and the shed was in silence . Chapter 13 : In which Mr. Diggle illustrates his argument ; and there are strange doings in Gheria harbor . The morning of the third day dawned -- the last of the three allowed Desmond for making up his mind . When the other prisoners were loosed from their fetters and marched off under guard to their usual work , he alone was left .