nearly three o'clock in the morning
Thirlwell , leaning forward , caught the words : `` I never had the thing ; he took it with him . '' The strained voice broke , Driscoll drew a hard breath , and feebly turned his face from the light . After this Thirlwell , whose curiosity was excited , had less trouble to keep awake , and at length roused Father Lucien , as he had been told . It was nearly three o'clock in the morning , the fire had sunk , and the shack was very cold . The wind had fallen and the bush was silent ; one could hear the loose snow dropping from the boughs . Father Lucien crossed the floor and after standing for a time beside the bunk came back and sat down by the stove . `` You can put in fresh wood ; it wo n't disturb him now , '' he said .