midnight
Mr. Damon would not have gone away with men who would steal an airship . '' `` Not if he knew it , '' admitted Ned . `` Well , then , let 's consider two airships -- yours and the other that came to keep the appointment with Mr. Damon . If the last is true , why should he want to go away in an airship at midnight ? Why could n't he take a train , or an auto ? '' `` Well , we do n't know all the ins and outs , '' admitted Tom . `` Taking a midnight airship ride is rather strange , but that may have been the only course open .