midnight
Had Bessie 's eyes and her perceptions been less keen she would have thought her first idea , the one she shared with Charlie Jamieson , a mistaken one . But more than once , when Zara thought she was unobserved , and was therefore off her guard , Bessie saw the corners of her mouth droop and a wistful look come into her eyes . There was fear in those eyes , too , though of what , Bessie could not imagine . It was long after midnight that night when Bessie was aroused , she scarcely knew how . Some instinct led her to turn on the light -- and she could scarcely repress a scream when she saw that Zara 's bed was empty ! For a moment she stood in the middle of the room , dazed , wondering what could have happened . The door was closed .