midnight
Yet he admitted afterwards that Royson 's words had diverted him from his fixed Intent to steal off when night fell , and urge Alfieri to pursue the runaways . The Italian needed no urging . Dick advised Mr. Fenshawe to send out two men on horseback in order to locate the Hadendowas . 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 .