midnight
His little West Indian stewardess also reported the gossip from her friend on another corridor , which was , in effect , that Miss White , the trained nurse , took all meals in her room and had not been observed to leave that somewhat monotonous sanctuary . How many more of the band there might be Neeland did not know . He remembered vaguely , while lying rigid under the grip of the drug , that he had heard Ilse Dumont 's voice mention somebody called Karl . And he had an idea that this Karl might easily be the big , ham-fisted German who had tried so earnestly to stifle him and throw him from the vestibule of the midnight express . However , it did not matter now . The box was safe in the captain 's care ; the _ Volhynia _ would be lying at anchor off Liverpool before daylight ; the whole exciting and romantic business was ended . With an unconscious sigh , not entirely of relief , Neeland opened his cigarette case , found it empty , turned and went slowly below with the idea of refilling it .