midnight
You have a free choice : put me in the way of getting my friend and his sister back to the Inn , or resign yourself to a prolonged confinement in this room . '' `` But monsieur I have nothing to communicate to you concerning the disappearance of your friends . '' `` Pardon me , marquis , '' returned Pembroke ; `` you have much to communicate to me . Perhaps you are not aware that I know the motive of your coming to the Inn at the Red Oak ; that I know the reason for your prolonged stay here ; that I know of the influence that you have acquired over Nancy Frost ; and that I have been a witness of your midnight prowlings about the Inn . Nor am I in ignorance of your connection with the rascally-looking captain of the schooner at anchor in the Cove and with the mysterious woman , who has taken possession of the House on the Dunes . I am convinced that you know what has become of Dan as well as what has happened to Nancy . And , believe me , I am determined to find out . '' ''