four o’clock
As I finished this note , Mr. Alibi appeared with the cavalryman . He proved to belong to Mohun 's command . I entrusted the note to him , cautioning him that it was important , and must reach Mohun promptly -- then I looked at my watch . It was four o'clock . Already the sun was declining toward the wooded horizon ; I looked toward it , and then at Nighthawk , who nodded . `` In an hour , colonel , '' he said , `` and as I am broken down , I will sleep . '' With these words , Nighthawk leaned back in his split-bottom chair , covered his face with his handkerchief , and in ten seconds his long , quiet breathing showed plainly that he was asleep .