nearly midnight
Going out before the morning ; but I sent two of the men who robbed me to perdition first . '' Ormond raised his hand for silence , and again I could hear the shrilling of the bitter wind that was never still . Then he said softly : `` You are only exciting him , and had better go , '' and with a last glance at Grace 's slender figure stooping beside the bed I went out softly . It was nearly midnight and a cold creepiness pervaded everything when he joined the rest of us round the stove . `` Gone ! '' he said simply . `` Just clenched his hand and died .