midnight
`` A train ? '' gasped Black . Then his face cleared . `` Oh , well , even if it 's a fully equipped wrecking train , it ca n't get the road mended in time to bring the through train in before midnight , as the charter demands . '' Now the train from Lineville came closer , and the whirr of its approach was audible along the steel rails . The engine 's bell was clanging steadily , too , after the manner of the engines of `` specials . '' ` Gene Black crowded to the outer edge of the thicket , peering through intently .