midnight
`` Only a hobo , '' Alex decided on second thought . For numbers of tramps had come through on the material-trains . And presently Alex returned to the telegraph-car . Shortly after midnight the young operator was awakened by someone running through the car and shouting for Construction Superintendent Finnan . When he caught the word `` Fire ! '' he scrambled into his clothes and leaped to the floor , and out . Over the tops of the cars in the direction of the track-machine was a dancing glare .