midnight
Then Lanier 's beams were driving in turn to right and left of them and the two vanished as though by magic as they were struck . `` Up to the surface ! '' Lanier cried , his eyes on the glowing dial of his wrist-watch . `` We 've been held hours here -- we 've but a half-hour or more before earth midnight ! '' * * * * * Randall sent their machine racing again toward one of the upward tunnels , and as the long mechanism began to climb smoothly up the darkness he heard Lanier agonizing beside him . `` God , if we have only enough time to get to that matter-transmitter before the Martians start flashing to earth through it ! '' `` But Milton ? ''