midnight
`` Better not let him know you want to speak to him , '' suggested Ned . `` If you do he 'll make some excuse and slip out . '' `` I 'll not send up my name when I inquire at the desk , '' Frank answered . But his precautions were useless , for , when he called at the hotel the next morning , he learned that Mr. Hardman had come in at midnight , had paid his bill , and departed on the one o'clock train . `` Did he say where he was going ? '' asked Frank of the clerk . `` I do n't know .