"This office closes at four o'clock.

I can't find a man in half an hour." "This office closes at four," repeats Mr.Powell glancing up and down the pages and touching up a letter here and there with perfect indifference.
"Even if I managed to lay hold some time to-day of a man ready to go at such short notice I couldn't ship him regularly here--could I ?" "Mr.Powell was busy drawing his pen through the entries relating to that unlucky second mate and making a note in the margin.
"You could sign him on yourself on board," says he without looking up.
"But I don't think you'll find easily an officer for such a pier-head jump." "Upon this the fine-looking skipper gave signs of distress.

The ship mustn't miss the next morning's tide.

He had to take on board forty tons of dynamite and a hundred and twenty tons of gunpowder at a place down the river before proceeding to sea.

It was all arranged for next day.
There would be no end of fuss and complications if the ship didn't turn up in time.