eleven o'clock
Stable-call sounded as usual at four o'clock , and , for the first time in the record of that disciplined organization since the devastating hand of Yellow Jack was laid upon it the previous year , no officer appeared to supervise the grooming and feeding . Two of them were at the post , however . Mr. Doyle , in arrest on charge of absence without leave , was escorted to his quarters about four-fifteen , and was promptly visited by sympathizing and inquisitive comrades from the Hotel Finkbein , while Mr. Ferry , who had effected the arrest , was detained making his report to the post commander . Night came on apace , the wind began to die away with the going down of the sun , the rain ceased to fall , a pallid moon began peering at odd intervals through rifts in the cloudy veil , when Cram rode splashing into barracks , worn with anxiety and care , at eleven o'clock , and , stopping only for a moment to take his wife in his arms and kiss her anxious face and shake his head in response to her eager query for news of Waring , he hurried down-stairs again and over to Doyle 's quarters . All was darkness there , but he never hesitated . Tramping loudly over the gallery , he banged at the door , then , turning the knob , intending to burst right in , as was the way in the rough old days , was surprised to find the bolt set . `` Doyle , open .