midnight
I knew the motive of the hunt well enough to know that the moment we had an ample start it would be abandoned , and the Las Palomas contingent would return to the ranch . Yet I dare not tell , even my betrothed , that there were ulterior motives in my employer 's hunting on the Frio , one of which was to afford an opportunity for our elopement . Full of apprehension and alarm , I took a room at the village hostelry , for I had our horses to look after , and secured a much-needed sleep during the afternoon . That evening I returned to the Martin cottage , to urge again that we carry out our original programme by taking the south-bound stage at midnight . But all I could say was of no avail . Mrs. Martin was equal to every suggestion . She had all the plans outlined , and there was no occasion for me to do any thinking at all .