midnight
This news came like a slap in the face to the lawyer 's son . He remained with Bert for another hour , but all the time Fred brooded over the fact that Dick & Co. were to have their canoe after all . `` At that , I do n't know that they will have their canoe , '' Fred remarked darkly to himself as he started homeward . Shortly after midnight Fred Ripley sneaked away from his home , turning his face in the direction of Hiram Driggs ' boatyard . When he left home Fred Ripley had no clearly defined idea as to what he meant to do . However , he had in one pocket a keen-bladed pocket knife . Well wrapped in paper a short but sharp-edged chisel rested in one of the side pockets of his coat .