midnight
`` I have no wish to deny that the man who met me to-night was Bordine . The meeting was wholly unexpected on my part , and I was compelled to listen to him . '' `` Exactly . Well , it is more than likely that the scoundrel will be in the hands of the law before midnight . '' Then the sheriff turned away . Quite unstrung , Rose left the building without attempting to see Mrs. Bordine that night . The remainder of that night and for several days thereafter the city was wild with excitement over the story of the sudden disappearance of the man for whom five thousand dollars reward was offered .