midnight
`` And a country for an appetite , '' cried Jack . `` I 'll get the boys up and we 'll have breakfast . Why , '' he added , turning back to the porch after glancing over the row of bunks , `` where 's Ned ? '' `` He went away at midnight , '' was the reply , `` and has n't returned . I 'm afraid something serious has happened to him . '' `` And you have been watching for him all night ? '' asked Jack .