three o'clock in the morning
As the news of Albert 's prolonged absence spread among his friends and the friends of the family , the circle of search and inquiry became larger and the suspense greater . To prevent the almost continual ringing of the bell , it was muffled , and a servant stationed by the door to receive or answer all who came . Night dropped down , shutting in with a strange suddenness , as some heavier clouds darkened the west . Up to this period not a single item of intelligence from the absent one had been gained since , as related by one of the young Gordons , he parted from him between two and three o'clock in the morning , and saw him take his way down one of the streets , not far from his home , leading to the river . It was snowing fast at the time , and the ground was already well covered . Closer questioning of the young man revealed the fact that Albert Martindale was , at the time , so much intoxicated that he could not walk steadily . `` I looked after him , '' said Gordon , `` as he left me , and saw him stagger from side to side ; but in a few moments the snow and darkness hid him from sight .