midnight
With the government agent aboard Tom sent his craft into the air at dusk , the crowd cheering lustily . Then , with her nose pointed toward the St. Lawrence , the Falcon was on her way to do a night patrol , and , if possible , detect the smugglers . It was monotonous work , and unprofitable , for , though Tom sent the airship back and forth for many miles along the wonderful river that formed the path from the Great Lakes to the sea , he had no glimpse of ghostly wings of other aircraft , nor did he hear the beat of propellers , nor the throb of motors , as his own noiseless airship cruised along . It came on to rain after midnight , and a mist crept down from the clouds , so that even with the great searchlight flashing its powerful beams , it was difficult to see for any great distance . `` Better give it up , I guess , '' suggested Mr. Whitford toward morning , when they had covered many miles , and had turned back toward Logansville . `` All right , '' agreed Tom . `` But we 'll try it again to-morrow night . ''