midnight
The old woman could tell marvellous tales and so could beguile the waiting days . Nella-Rose meant to confide in her and ask her to hide her until Truedale came for her . It was a sudden inspiration and it brought relief . And that night -- it was past midnight and cold as the north land -- Burke Lawson came face to face with Jed Martin ! Lawson was issuing from his cranny behind the old still and Martin was nosing about alone . He , like a hungry thing of the wilds , had found his foe 's trail and meant to bag him unaided and have full vengeance and glory . But so unexpectedly , and alarmingly unconcerned , did Burke materialize in the emptiness that Jed 's gun was a minute too late in getting into position .