midnight
`` I 'll watch the two back ones . Come on ! '' We dashed across the open space , the youngster rushing to the rear , while I ran to the front columns . It was impossible for any one to descend unless we saw him , and with nerves on a tension we walked around the huge supports and watched anxiously for the midnight watcher to descend . We must have remained on guard for twenty minutes or more , but there was no sign of the spy . Around us the massive structure cast a patch of velvety shadow , but not the slightest sound came from above . Holman tired of the inactivity , and stepped across to where I was standing .