midnight
Doubtless the two plotters had proposed to themselves that Captain Rugley would be too ill to take the lead in any chase after the kidnappers . Perhaps Pete even hoped that the old ranchman would agree immediately to the terms of ransom set forth in the note Ratty had taken to the Bar-T . The ex-cowpuncher was to linger around and see what would be done about the message to the Captain ; then come here and report to Pete . And as the hours dragged by , and it drew near midnight , with no appearance of the messenger , the chief plotter grew more anxious . He huddled over the fire , almost enclosing it with his arms and legs for warmth . Frances , lying beyond , and out of the puny radiance of its warmth , felt the chill of the night air keenly . Pete did not even offer her a blanket .