midnight
Dave did not doubt Tad Lewis 's part in it , but there was only one source from which pressure could be brought , and when this failed he found his further efforts blocked . There remained to him only the consolation of knowing that he had in a measure squared his account with old Ricardo . But there were several persons who felt intense relief at the course events had taken , and among these was Alaire Austin . In the days following that midnight expedition she had had ample time in which to meditate upon her husband 's actions , `` Young Ed '' had taken advantage of the confusion to slip out of the crowd and escape in his roadster , and when Alaire arrived at Las Palmas she had found that he was gone , leaving behind no word as to when he would return . It seemed probable that he had fled to San Antonio , there to remain until interest in the Guzman matter had abated . If Ed was relieved to escape the immediate consequences of his connection with the affair , his wife was no less thankful for his absence , since it left her free to think and to plan . Their relations were becoming constantly more difficult ; she realized that it was impossible for her to go on in this way much longer .