midnight
As a matter of fact , he assured himself , the Countess Courteau was an exceptional woman ; she was quite different from the other members of her sex and the rules of decorum which obtained for them did not obtain for her . She was one in ten thousand , one in a million . Yes , and he was `` her man . '' While he was snatching a bit of midnight supper Pierce again heard the name of Kirby mentioned , and a reference to the big game in progress at the Ophir . Recalling Lucky Broad 's words , he wondered if it were possible that Kirby and his girl were indeed the father and daughter who had applied at the Northern for shelter . It seemed incredible that a young woman of such apparent refinement could be a gambler 's daughter , but if it were true she was not only the daughter of a `` sporting man , '' but a very notorious one , judging from general comment . Prompted by curiosity , Pierce dropped in at the Ophir on his way back to work .