midnight
But take a hint that 's well meant : if the real thief is down there , see he plays no tricks on you . ' ` I 've thought of that -- trust me . ' Harry Hardy 's appearance below with the afternoon shift at the Stream occasioned a good deal of talk amongst the miners ; but he heard none of it . Shine was in the searching-shed when he came up at midnight , on his knees amongst the men 's discarded clothes , pawing them over with his claw-like fingers . The searcher rarely spoke to the men , never looked at them , and performed his duties as if unconscious of their presence . Custom had made him exceedingly cautious , for it was the delight of the men to play tricks upon him , usually of an exceedingly painful nature . The searcher is no man 's friend .