midnight
Every man was alert to his duty ; every nerve was taut with the consciousness that somewhere within the cordon was the leader who heretofore had escaped them , that each man was a link forged in the endless chain which was stretched around the invisible enemy . And , meanwhile , the starless sky and the waiting chain were equally silent and equally freighted with mystery . And the future seemed full of portent and very near . Then , as the midnight hour swung past him , Weldon heard the rustle of a quiet footfall . It was Captain Frazer 's voice that answered his challenge . `` I was looking for you , Weldon , '' he added . `` For anything especial ? ''