Nine o’clock
All the stars were hidden . The wind whimpered and then shouted . The rain swept down in spiteful volleys , deepening at last into a fierce , steady discharge . Nine o'clock , ten o'clock passed , and Keene did not return . By midnight we were certain that some accident had befallen him . It was impossible to go up into the mountains in that pitch-darkness of furious tempest . But we could send down to the village for men to organise a search-party and to bring the doctor .