nearly midnight
Not a footstep was to be heard . A thought struck him , and he hurried back to the house again . The bonnet and boots which his mother usually wore when she went out were missing , and , as he noticed it , a great fear entered his heart . He looked at his watch ; it was nearly midnight . `` I wonder -- I wonder ! '' he said to himself . A minute later he had closed the door , and was walking in the direction of Howden Clough .