midnight before
Here , early the following morning , he camped with the patience of an Indian , emerging in the still of that night stiff , hungry , and atrociously cross . Meanwhile , there had been another meeting of the mine-owners , and it had been decided to send Wheaton , properly armed with affidavits and transcripts of certain court records , back to San Francisco on the return trip of the Santa Maria , which had arrived in port . He was to institute proceedings for contempt of court , and it was hoped that by extraordinary effort he could gain quick action . At daybreak Dextry returned to his post , and it was midnight before he crawled from his hiding-place to see the lawyer and Glenister . `` They have had a spy on you all day , Wheaton , '' he began , `` and they know you 're going out to the States . You 'll be arrested to-morrow morning before breakfast . '' `` Arrested !