midnight
`` Good-night , Girl , '' he said , and then he bent over and kissed her fingers gently . He stood by the car until she had crossed the lawn and ascended the steps -- until the door opened and admitted her . To follow the girl 's suggestion and return at once to Chicago was Orme 's intention when he said good-night to her . The hour was close to midnight , and the evening had been crowded so full with bewildering adventure that he was tired . Moreover , he looked forward to a morning that might well test his endurance even more strenuously . He had now committed himself definitely to continue in the field against the Japanese . Except for his desire to serve this wonderful girl who had come so suddenly into his life , he doubtless would have permitted the mystery of the marked bill to remain unsolved .