midnight
She would not dream that she was suspected in any way , and would therefore be the less cautious . Matthew kept watch during the day , and followed if she went out with her father to a neighbour 's , remaining on guard outside the house until John Wilkes relieved him as soon as he had finished his supper . If she remained at home in the evening John went out silently , after his return at his usual hour , and was joined by Cyril as soon as Captain Dave said good-night and went in to his bedroom . At midnight they re-entered the house and stole up to their rooms , leaving their doors open and listening attentively for another hour before they tried to get to sleep . On the sixth morning Cyril noticed that Nellie was silent and abstracted at breakfast-time . She went out marketing with her mother afterwards , and at dinner her mood had changed . She talked and laughed more than usual .