midnight
`` I 'll carry no more of their messages , '' he declared aloud . `` I 'll tell them so and wash my hands of the entire matter . If there is to be any asking of favors from that girl the McKaye women can do it . '' It was after midnight when he returned to his home and his wife was sitting up to receive an explanation of his nocturnal prowlings . However , the look of desperation with which he met her accusing glance frightened her into silence , albeit she had a quiet little crying spell next morning when she discovered on the floor of Mr. Daney 's room quite a quantity of sand which had worked into his shoes during his agitated spring around Tyee Beach . She was quite certain he had indulged in a moonlight stroll on the seashore with a younger and prettier woman , so she resolved to follow him when next he fared forth and catch the traitor red-handed . To her surprise , Mr. Daney went out no more o ' nights .