midnight
`` Give me a weapon , O friends , '' he said . `` Some man hath tried to kill me . '' A short squat native smiled grimly , reached to the rafters of the dwelling , and took down a heavy carbine , which he loaded and then handed to the white man . `` 'T is Moreno who hath hurt thee , '' said the native ; `` at midnight he rode by here in hot haste . '' With the native supporting him , Prout rode along the road to the Estate gates . As he reeled through he heard a faint cry . In another minute he was on the verandah and looking through the French lights into Marie 's dimly-lighted bedroom .