midnight
`` It 's just like this , Grant , old boy , '' said Linder , getting up and putting his hand on his friend 's shoulder , `` I feel that I still have an interest in the chap who saved all of me except what this empty sleeve stands for , and it 's that interest which makes me speak about something which you may say is none of my business . I was out here Monday night to see you , and you were not at home . I came out again Wednesday , and you were not at home . I came last night and you were not at home , and had not come back at midnight . Your horses were in the barn ; you were not far away . '' `` Why did n't you telephone me ? '' `` If I had n't cared more for you than I do for my job and the Big Idea thrown in I could have settled it that way .