nearly midnight
`` No . '' Perry Jounce said no more , but moved swiftly away in the gloom . Then August Bordine hastened for assistance . He found a hack , and had the insensible detective borne to his home , which was not reached until nearly midnight . When the man-tracker opened his eyes , he found himself in a cozy room , snugly ensconsed on a huge sofa , with the fumes of a hot sling in his nostrils . `` Taste this , Mr. Keene , and you will feel better . '' It was August Bordine , with a hot drink for the detective .