midnight
`` Take care you do n't get in line for any bullets , '' laughed the operator as he left . `` It 's your weakness , you know , to get mixed up in any excitement that 's going on within a mile of you . '' To Alex 's disappointment hour after hour passed , however , and brought no further word , either of the pursued , or the pursuers . Finally , just before midnight , hearing Zeisler `` come in '' on the wire to report the passing of a freight , Alex reached for the key , determined to inquire . As he did so footsteps sounded on the silent platform without , the waiting-room door opened , and two strangers appeared at the ticket-window . Glancing in , they turned to the office door , and entered . `` Hello , youngster , '' said the taller of the two , cordially , leaning over the parcel-counter .