midnight
`` I went to Oakdale to see my uncle , who stopped off on his trip from Portland to St. Louis . He wanted to ask me about some family matters , and he did n't have time to come to the Hall . I went down in the buggy -- '' `` Oh , never mind that , Polly , tell about the explosion , '' interrupted Roger . `` Well , I had just seen my uncle to the midnight train and was getting into the buggy to come back when I heard a low boom ! coming from the direction of Sparr 's hotel . The station-master and I were the only people around , and I asked him what the noise meant , but he said he did n't know . Then he jumped into the buggy with me to find out .