midnight
The watchman took the other by the arm , and , as they started off -- one insisting and one objecting -- the official looked back to say : `` He wo n't hurt nobody , Miss Warriner -- he 's just a little cranky , that 's all . '' Mary watched them out of sight , and while she was doing so , Gerald Heath approached from the contrary direction . He had heard the girl 's scream . Why he was within earshot he might not have been able to explain satisfactorily , for it was not his habit to take midnight walks , even when the air was so brightly moonlit and so temporarily fine ; but if cross-questioned , he would doubtless have maintained that he had sought only to escape from the darkness and closeness of his shanty quarters . Besides , where would he so likely wander , in quest of good sight and breath , as to the spot whence he could view the scenery which he in vain asked the railway company to exhibit to their passengers . As he turned the corner of the cabin he saw Eph and the watchman departing , and comprehended the disturbance . `` Eph has been frightening you , Miss Warriner , '' he said .