midnight
It happened that the next time he 'd see them , circumstances would be entirely different . But he believed they were competent men . Guided by the Big Dipper , he moved directly toward the place where Jill should be waiting for him . By the angle of the Dipper 's handle he knew that it was almost midnight . Jill would surely have known that nearly the worst had happened . He 'd have to find her ... . It was two o'clock when he reached the place where Jill had intended to wait .