midnight
But that did not excuse his prejudice against soldiers . They passed through the outskirts of Sprotsfield ; Mike -- to use his more familiar name -- had made a thorough exploration of the place , and his directions enabled his chauffeur to avoid the central and populous parts of the town . Then they came out on to the open heath , passed Old Place , and presently -- about half a mile from Tower Cottage -- found Sergeant Hooper waiting for them by the roadside . It was then hard on midnight -- a dark cloudy night , very apt for their purpose . With a nod , but without a word , the Sergeant got into the car , and in cautious whispers directed its course to the shelter of the clump of trees ; they reached it after a few hundred yards of smooth road and some thirty of bumping over the heath . It afforded a perfect screen from the road , and on the other side there was only untrodden heath , no path or track being visible near it . Neddy got out of the car , but he did not forget his faithful flask .