midnight
gasped the bewildered boy . `` Why , you -- '' `` They had the door down when we reached the jail , but a dozen shots set them scattering . '' `` But -- but -- I do n't understand . '' `` We did n't mean to strike before midnight , but Benson brought word that they were liable to lynch you , and so we lost no time in getting here . We rode twenty miles like we were racing with an express train . You must allow we did a good job this time , chief . '' `` Chief ?