midnight
Speaking only to Commander Walters , Strong had received permission to combine the search for Wallace and Simms , with the new hunt for Coxine . Strong was convinced that Coxine was behind the activity of Wallace and Simms , from the beginning at the Solar Exposition to the present . Strong looked at his watch . It was past midnight . He flipped a switch and paged Lieutenant Moore on the central communicators . In a few moments the young officer appeared and saluted smartly . `` Take over here , Moore , '' said Strong .