nearly twelve o'clock
He had thought that perchance he might see something of the man he was in search of , for no better time could be chosen to do damage to circus property than when the canvas was being struck . Then everyone was too busy to pay any attention to anyone else . Teddy had gone on to pay his usual evening visit to the accommodation car and at the same time make miserable the existence of the worthy who presided over that particular car . Phil waited until nearly twelve o'clock ; then , deciding that it would be useless to remain there longer , turned his footsteps toward the railroad yards , for he was tired and wanted to get to bed as soon as possible . He found the way readily , having been over to the car once during the morning while out looking for Red Larry . The night was very dark , however , and the yards , at the end from which he approached them , were enshrouded in deep shadows . On down the tracks Phil could see the smoking torches where the men were at work running the heavy cages and canvas wagons up on the flat cars .