midnight
`` You were certainly in hard luck , '' said the police captain , who happened to be in charge . `` I 'll do what I can to round these rascals up . '' But nothing came of this , for both Baxter and Flapp left Penwick that very night . When the Rover boys returned to the houseboat , it was long after midnight , but none on board had gone to bed . The Stanhopes and Lanings had come back , bringing their friends with them , and all had been surprised to find the Rovers absent . After remaining on the houseboat a couple of hours the friends had gone home again . `` Something is wrong ; I can see it in your looks , Dick , '' said Dora , as she came to him .