midnight
But Francis insisted . `` I know my way blindfold about the forest , old man '' he said `` it 'll be far safer for me than for you . I 'll leave you the map and mark the route you are to follow , so that you can find the way if anything happens to me . If I 'm not back by midnight , you ought certainly not to wait any longer , but make the attempt by yourselves . '' My brother handed me back the document and went over the route we were to follow on the map . Then he deposited his bundle in the cave and declared himself ready . `` And do n't forget old Clubfoot 's box , '' he said by way of a parting injunction .