midnight
We may shake hands . ' Ryder made no advance . ` Better hear the story out , ' he said . It was a two-mile walk from where Jim and Mike were now camped to Stony 's tent , and the hour was midnight . The two men walked in silence , Jim with his head bowed , racked with nervous excitement , his mind running from point to point , grasping nothing wholly , seeing nothing clearly , the other erect and calm . When the tent was reached Ryder entered unceremoniously , and , striking a match , looked about him for a candle . There was a slush-lamp on a box by the bunk , and this he lit .