midnight
There were a hundred and one things requiring attention . Sleeping-berths must be booked on board the train , last visits paid to various friends and acquaintances , and final arrangements made with regard to the shutting up of Mon Rêve . Last , but not least , there was the packing up of Ann 's own personal belongings , which , in the course of the last six months , seemed to have strayed away into various odd corners of the villa , as is the way of things . But it was all accomplished at last , and close on midnight the little party of four travellers stood on the deserted platform at Montricheux , watching the great Orient Express thunder up alongside . Followed a hurried gathering together of hand-baggage , a scramble up the steep steps of the railway coach , a piercing whistle , and the train pulled out of the station and went rocking on its way through the starry darkness of the night . The journey from Montricheux to London accomplished , Ann was speeding through the familiar English country-side once more and finding it doubly attractive after her six months ' sojourn abroad . The train slowed down to manipulate a rather sharp curve in the line as it approached Silverquay station , and she peered eagerly out of the window to see the place which was henceforth to mean home to her .