midnight
`` There goes his engine , '' the Governor called as he took the lead . `` He spotted that light and will try to run them down . '' Isabel and Ruth , attempting to elude Carey 's blockade and seek help at Huddleston , were forcing a crisis that might at any minute result in disaster . It was close upon midnight , and there was no help to be had from either shore . A fierce anger surged through Archie 's heart . There could have been no safer place to commit murder than the quiet bay at the dead of night . Ultimately the bodies would be washed up ; there would be the usual inquiries and a report of accidental drowning .