About three o'clock
That was all past -- wiped out by the parting between her and her lover . `` Yes , Uncle Jep , '' she uttered low , and with bent head she moved dejectedly on toward the house . Here all the boys were sleeping noisily after their vigils of the night before . About three o'clock , or a little after , they had come home to find their father turning in at the gate . With their disappointment fresh upon them they broke through his command of silence , and Wade told him how they and Blatch had planned the ambush , how Blatch had been called away , how they had waited in the hollow for Creed , who had promised to `` come and talk to them , '' how he had never come , but how Arley Kittridge a few minutes ago had ridden up to notify them that Bonbright was gone from Nancy Card 's , and that the mule was gone with him . None of the watchers could say what direction he took , except to give earnest assurances that he had not left by any trail leading down the mountain . `` He 's bound to be over here somewhars , '' Wade concluded , `` and Blatch not havin ' got back from Garyville , they two has met somewhars . ''