midnight
The familiar bark of the six-shooter was a matter of almost nightly occurrence ; a dispute at the gaming table , a discourteous word spoken , or the rivalry for the smile of a wanton was provocation for the sacrifice of human life . Here the man of the plains reverted to and gave utterance to the savagery of his nature , or , on the other hand , was as chivalrous as in the days of heraldry . I knew the town well , this being my third trip over the trail , and mingled with the gathering throng . Near midnight , and when in the Lady Gay dance-hall , I was accosted by Dorg Seay and the detective . They had just left Dutch Jake 's , and reported all quiet on the Potomac . Seay had not only proved himself artful , but a good fellow , and had unearthed the fact that Tolleston had been in the employ of Field and Radcliff for the past three months . `` You see , '' said Dorg , `` Archie never knew me except the few days that I was about headquarters in Medina before we started .