midnight
A sudden thought came to Philip , and , leading Matthew into the open , he pointed to the blacksmith , and threw an inquiring look to his sister . She hesitated a second or two , and then nodded yes with cheery emphasis , so Philip led Matthew away and supplemented the story he had already told him with the startling announcement that all the time there actually was a fugitive Cavalier in the house . Matthew Hale whistled ; he had no words . `` And he must reach Portallan , '' said Philip , `` to catch the midnight tide . Three of us are going to ride with him , and he takes Rupert 's clothes . We should have got him away finely if it had n't been for these soldiers . '' `` Then we must smash the soldiers , '' said Matthew simply .