four o'clock
The night passed , however , in perfect peace . The dawn came hours before the train was due at Sidney , where coffee was again to be served . Only one incident occurred to give him food for new thought . Towards four o'clock he returned to the sleeper after an absence of some ten minutes , just as the train pulled slowly away from one of those little prairie stations , and as he entered the dimly-lighted aisle he saw that Brannan was not in his place . Standing at Mrs. Cranston 's section farther on , a little phial and medicine-glass in her hand , her dark hair falling in heavy braids down her back , attired in a loose , warm wrapper , was Miss Loomis , calm , yet evidently anxious . Beyond her hovered Brannan , holding the captain 's flask . `` What is it ? ''