midnight
There were some tall bets as to what would happen to the two perpetrators when the victim arrived back . In the afternoon a lookout was set , so that they would know when he was sighted . Everybody wanted to see him come in . But he did n't come , though they sat up till midnight . Nor did he come next day , nor the next . Red Cow never saw Marcus O'Brien again , and though many conjectures were entertained , no certain clue was ever gained to dispel the mystery of his passing . * * * * * Only Marcus O'Brien knew , and he never came back to tell .