midnight
He had told the vicar in his anger that he would find Goddard with the help of Stamboul . That the hound was able to accomplish the feat in the present weather , and if Goddard had actually stood some time at the cottage window on the previous night , he did not doubt for a moment . The vicar had mentioned the window to him when he told him that Mrs. Goddard had seen her husband . He had probably been at the window as late as midnight , and the scent , renewed by his visit , would not be twelve hours old . Stamboul could find the man , unless he had got into a cart , which was improbable . But a new and startling consideration presented itself to the squire 's mind when the vicar was gone and his anger had subsided ; a consideration which made him hesitate what course to pursue . That he would be justified in using any means in his power to catch the criminal seemed certain .