eight o'clock
Hussain , who was acquainted with the country , volunteered for this duty , and he and his companion came in at midnight with the depressing report that Alfieri and his free-booters were not to be found on the main track to Suleiman 's Well . By this time , not only Fenshawe and Irene , but Stump and Abdur Kad ` r , when called into counsel , shared Dick 's foreboding . It was impossible to do anything before dawn , and the sole difficulty that remained was to decide whether they should march , when the first streaks of light showed in the sky , or await the hour fixed for the interview with Alfieri . They resolved to leave Hussain and a few trustworthy men at the oasis , with instructions to remain there until eight o'clock . If Alfieri kept his tryst , they were to give him a letter , written by Irene , which asked him to follow and join the expedition . Otherwise , they were to ride after the caravan at top speed , and report his non-arrival . So Dick and Irene missed that agreeable watch under the stars , and their thoughts , instead of being given to each other , were centered on the unlucky fortune-hunters whom accident or design had separated from them .