midnight
He 'll be found as soon as it 's light . There 's nothing to harm him in those woods . '' Mrs. Lloyd tried hard to persuade herself that there was n't , but all kinds of vague terrors filled her mind , and refused to be allayed . At length , as it drew toward midnight , a step was heard approaching , and the anxious watchers rushed eagerly to the door , hoping for good news . But it was only one of the men , returning according to arrangement to see if Bert had been found , and if not to set forth again along some new line of search . After a little interval another came , and then another , until all had returned , Uncle Alec being the last , and still no news of Bert . They were bidden to take some rest and refreshment before going back in to the woods .