midnight
`` Where is your lord , sirrah ? '' thundered Umu , as a file of soldiers promptly arrested the quaking functionary . `` I know not , Lord Umu , '' answered the unfortunate man , as well as his chattering teeth would allow ; `` indeed I was about to send out the servants to seek news of him , for I am beginning to fear that evil has befallen him . He left the house alone last night , less than an hour before midnight , saying that he knew not when he should return ; and he has not since been seen . '' `` Then , if he told you that he knew not when he would return , why do you fear that evil has befallen him ? '' demanded Umu . `` Because , Lord -- nay , I know not , except that -- that -- well , it is a most unusual -- for my Lord Huanacocha to absent himself for so many hours without saying whither he intended to go , '' stammered the steward .