midnight
This gave the experienced man of the world food for thought . He did not tell young Varrick how interested he himself was in learning the whereabouts of that pretty young girl . After an hour or more of earnest conversation , they parted , Byrne agreeing to report what success he met at the hotel at which Hubert Varrick said he intended stopping . Up to midnight , when they again met , Byrne could give him no definite information ; he did not even tell him that he thought he had a slight clew which he intended to follow . Thus three days passed , and not even the slightest trace of Jessie Bain could be discovered , and Hubert was beside himself with grief . In the midst of his trouble a strange event happened . As he was passing through the lobby of the hotel one evening , he met Harry Maillard , Gerelda Northrup 's cousin .