midnight
`` No , he did n't , and that 's the reason I 'm here . I waited up for him and when he did n't come back , I started out to find him . '' `` You stay there a minute , '' Jasper ordered , as he closed the door and turned back into the room . Lighting a lamp , he was astonished to find that it was near midnight . It took him but a few moments to dress , and then he again threw open the door and stepped out into the night . By the light streaming through the doorway Jasper could see that Betty 's face was very pale . She was greatly agitated as well , and her teeth chattered as she spoke .