nearly
midnight
But whatever it was it did not affect the Schuyler sisters . They were eager to talk , anxious to hear , but they felt nothing of the undercurrent of mysterious meaning that affected the rest of us . I was glad when the time came to go . It was very late , nearly midnight , and I marveled to see that Ruth showed no sign of weariness . The sisters had been frankly yawning for some time , but Ruth 's eyes were unnaturally bright , and her pale cheeks showed a tiny red spot on either side . She shook hands nervously and her voice trembled as she said good-night . Fleming Stone and the boy were moved , I could see that , but they made their adieux without reference to future meeting or further work on the mystery .