midnight
Strickland observed with some wonder its power of long , concentrated thinking . It sat there , not visibly tense , seemingly relaxed , yet as evidently looking into some place of inner motion , wider and swifter than that of the night world about it . Strickland tried to read . The clock hand moved toward midnight . The laird spoke from the great bed . `` Alexander -- '' `` I am here , father . '' Alexander rose and went to the sick man 's side .