about two in the morning
Neither the father nor brother asked him any questions , nor did he volunteer any information . Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot 's Mill . Nokes had walked this distance in the morning , and now retraced it at night -- not going right across Gangoil , as he had falsely boasted of doing early in the day , but skirting it , and keeping on the outside of the fence nearly the whole distance . At about two in the morning he reached his cottage outside the mill on the river-bank ; but he was unable to skulk in unheard . Some dogs made a noise , and presently he heard a voice calling him from the house . `` Is that you , Nokes , at this time of night ? '' asked Mr. Medlicot .