midnight
There could be no doubt the tidal phenomenon was gradually but steadily failing . What might occur when it altogether ceased was more than the man could divine . He felt a vague dread of that approaching hour and of what it might develop . `` It must be after midnight , '' he said , at last , '' -- time for night 's ordinary dreams . '' Yet , when he was finally stretched on his bed , he did not lose himself in slumber . Instead he lay thinking of the island 's haunting sounds and the cave somewhere underneath the headland . He had meant to attempt an inspection of this place , if only to gratify a natural curiosity .